PETALING JAYA: Jul 29, 2008
PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim claimed that the medical report leaked on Monday confirmed that the sodomy allegations against him were baseless and were politically-motivated.
He urged the police to stop their investigation and to send the medical report to the Attorney-General’s Chambers and classify the case under “no further action.”
The medical report from Hospital Pusrawi, signed by Dr Mohamed Osman Abdul Hamid at 2.14pm on June 28, was leaked on the Internet on Monday.
The report said that there was no medical indication that Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, Anwar’s 23-year-old former aide, had been sodomised.
In the report, Dr Mohamed Osman had also recommended that Mohd Saiful go to a government hospital for further check-up.
In KUALA LUMPUR, Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said that the case won't be dropped based just on the medical report.
"This is just one aspect of the investigation. The police are piecing together evidence, let them do their job and complete their investigation," he said.
"As it is, they haven't charged Anwar with anything yet," he noted.
Raja Petra Kamaruddin, editor of news portal Malaysia Today which first carried the medical report, also claimed that Dr Mohamed Osman had gone into hiding because the police wanted him to change his medical report to implicate Anwar.
The police have denied that allegation.
“We interviewed the doctor in the early stages of our investigations following the police report lodged by Mohd Saiful,” said Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar.
“But we did not arrest the doctor or detain him for three days as alleged by the Malaysia Today report. We don’t have any plans to do so either,” he said.
In GOPENG, (PKR) vice-president Dr Lee Boon Chye went one step further and said the police should act against Mohd Saiful for lodging a false police report against Anwar.
Speaking at the opening of the Gopeng PKR service centre here on Tuesday morning, the Gopeng MP said Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan should stop all investigations into the sodomy claim against the Opposition de facto leader.
Based on the medical report, "Saiful should be arrested for lodging a false report against Anwar and the IGP should also stop all investigations into the claim," Dr Lee added.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Sodomy probe: 7 MCA branches demand answers - Malaysiakini
Jul 29, 08 4:52pm
Seven MCA branches have questioned the integrity of the sodomy allegation against opposition stalwart Anwar Ibrahim as well as the police investigation into the matter.
The branches under the Petaling Jaya Utara parliamentary constituency aired their concern in response to the latest twist to the case, a day after a medical report was leaked to the media.
"We, being members of seven branches of MCA PJ Utara representing more than 1,000 members of MCA, wish to do our civic duty," read the two-page statement inked by MCA SS2 Town Centre branch chairperson Lee Chong Beng.
"We note that MCA cannot remain silent anymore, lest we be accused (if not already accused) of being accomplices to diabolical conspiracies."
Yesterday, Malaysiakini reported that Anwar's accuser Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan had visited the Pusrawi Hospital in Kuala Lumpur prior to lodging his police report against the PKR leader on June 28.
A Burmese doctor who had examined Saiful at the hospital had stated in his report that he found no evidence of sodomy.
Lee said several members of the MCA branches had checked with medical experts to verify the medical report.
"Three doctors that we checked with stated that the comments (in the leaked medical report) meant that the results of the alleged sodomy is ‘negative’.
"They also confirmed that a doctor can never change a medical report," he added.
Reveal the evidence
In view of this, the branches wanted answers from the hospital as well as the authorities to set the record straight.
"We call on the police, the attorney-general, the MCA top leadership and the Umno top leadership to immediately reveal in full all the evidence against Anwar and stop withholding vital evidence, and decide to charge or not charge him."
The branches also took deputy inspector-general of police (DIGP) Ismail Omar to task for stating that media reports on the doctor’s findings were aimed at confusing the people.
"Such statements by the DIGP only serve to further the perception that the police is pulling out all the stops to withhold evidence crucial to prove Anwar’s innocence while at the same time fabricate or attempt to fabricate evidence against a fellow citizen of our country."
The branches also pointed out that the Anwar saga was doing the country harm as the international community has labeled Malaysia as a country ruled by a despotic government.
"We urge the police, the attorney-general and the government to treat all our citizens fairly, with transparency, without withholding crucial evidence and with the proper application of the rule of law."
The seven branches are SS2 Town Centre, SS2, SS4, Taman Peoples Park, Gardenia Centre, Taman Mayang and Damansara Baru.
Ex-Gerakan leader: Drop the case
In a related development, former Penang Gerakan state exco Dr Toh Kin Woon also called on the government to promptly disclose the findings of the medical examination on Saiful.
"I call upon them to do so as quickly as possible in order to clear the air over the case but the contents of the first medical examination to be revealed must be as originally written by the doctor who conducted the investigation," he said in a statement.
Toh also said based on the Pusrawi medical report alone, Anwar "should be exonerated of this charge of having committed sodomy."
"There is no reason for any more delay as justice delayed is justice denied," he added.
Seven MCA branches have questioned the integrity of the sodomy allegation against opposition stalwart Anwar Ibrahim as well as the police investigation into the matter.
The branches under the Petaling Jaya Utara parliamentary constituency aired their concern in response to the latest twist to the case, a day after a medical report was leaked to the media.
"We, being members of seven branches of MCA PJ Utara representing more than 1,000 members of MCA, wish to do our civic duty," read the two-page statement inked by MCA SS2 Town Centre branch chairperson Lee Chong Beng.
"We note that MCA cannot remain silent anymore, lest we be accused (if not already accused) of being accomplices to diabolical conspiracies."
Yesterday, Malaysiakini reported that Anwar's accuser Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan had visited the Pusrawi Hospital in Kuala Lumpur prior to lodging his police report against the PKR leader on June 28.
A Burmese doctor who had examined Saiful at the hospital had stated in his report that he found no evidence of sodomy.
Lee said several members of the MCA branches had checked with medical experts to verify the medical report.
"Three doctors that we checked with stated that the comments (in the leaked medical report) meant that the results of the alleged sodomy is ‘negative’.
"They also confirmed that a doctor can never change a medical report," he added.
Reveal the evidence
In view of this, the branches wanted answers from the hospital as well as the authorities to set the record straight.
"We call on the police, the attorney-general, the MCA top leadership and the Umno top leadership to immediately reveal in full all the evidence against Anwar and stop withholding vital evidence, and decide to charge or not charge him."
The branches also took deputy inspector-general of police (DIGP) Ismail Omar to task for stating that media reports on the doctor’s findings were aimed at confusing the people.
"Such statements by the DIGP only serve to further the perception that the police is pulling out all the stops to withhold evidence crucial to prove Anwar’s innocence while at the same time fabricate or attempt to fabricate evidence against a fellow citizen of our country."
The branches also pointed out that the Anwar saga was doing the country harm as the international community has labeled Malaysia as a country ruled by a despotic government.
"We urge the police, the attorney-general and the government to treat all our citizens fairly, with transparency, without withholding crucial evidence and with the proper application of the rule of law."
The seven branches are SS2 Town Centre, SS2, SS4, Taman Peoples Park, Gardenia Centre, Taman Mayang and Damansara Baru.
Ex-Gerakan leader: Drop the case
In a related development, former Penang Gerakan state exco Dr Toh Kin Woon also called on the government to promptly disclose the findings of the medical examination on Saiful.
"I call upon them to do so as quickly as possible in order to clear the air over the case but the contents of the first medical examination to be revealed must be as originally written by the doctor who conducted the investigation," he said in a statement.
Toh also said based on the Pusrawi medical report alone, Anwar "should be exonerated of this charge of having committed sodomy."
"There is no reason for any more delay as justice delayed is justice denied," he added.
Twist in sodomy saga - The Star
PETALING JAYA: Jul 28, 2008
Police have slammed a news portal report, which claimed that a private hospital doctor who had examined Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan had been arrested.
Deputy Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar said the articles were just another attempt by certain quarters to confuse the public over the on-going investigation into Mohd Saiful's police report alleging that he had been sodomised by PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The online articles posted a medical report which said there was “zero active bleeding”, “zero ulcer or pus” and “zero tear and scar” in Mohd Saiful’s anus.
The report from Pusrawi Hospital was signed by Dr Mohamed Osman Abdul Hamid at 2.14pm on June 28.
Malaysia Today editor Raja Petra Kamaruddin, who also carried the report on his website, said this proved that Mohd Saiful was not sodomised by Opposition de facto leader Anwar.
“The police also have a copy of this report that I have published, so they know what I know,” he wrote.
Raja Petra also alleged that Dr Mohamed Osman had gone into hiding because the police wanted him to change his medical report to implicate Anwar.
“There is no truth to these allegations," said the Deputy IGP.
"In fact we interviewed the aforementioned doctor in the early stages of our investigation following the report lodged by Saiful.
“Neither did we arrest the doctor or detain him for three days as alleged in the Malaysia Today article. We do not have any plans to do so either,” Ismail said, declining to comment further.
PKR secretary-general Salehuddin Hashim said there needed to be a complete public disclosure of the facts of the case.
“The medical report appears to confirm what we have always believed – that the allegations against Anwar are without merit and are politically motivated.”
DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang said: “This is a very disturbing turn of developments and will subject Malaysia to a new spate of international bashing unless the police can come forward to throw light on the first medical report and the whereabouts of Dr Mohamed Osman.”
How the medical report was leaked, which is a breach of patient confidentiality, is unknown, but Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said the Malaysian Medical Council must look into the case.
A top Health Ministry official said the leaked report was probably not a full report because it appeared to be documenting only the superficial.
A spokesperson from the hospital said a statement would be issued soon.
Police have slammed a news portal report, which claimed that a private hospital doctor who had examined Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan had been arrested.Deputy Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar said the articles were just another attempt by certain quarters to confuse the public over the on-going investigation into Mohd Saiful's police report alleging that he had been sodomised by PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The online articles posted a medical report which said there was “zero active bleeding”, “zero ulcer or pus” and “zero tear and scar” in Mohd Saiful’s anus.
The report from Pusrawi Hospital was signed by Dr Mohamed Osman Abdul Hamid at 2.14pm on June 28.
Malaysia Today editor Raja Petra Kamaruddin, who also carried the report on his website, said this proved that Mohd Saiful was not sodomised by Opposition de facto leader Anwar.
“The police also have a copy of this report that I have published, so they know what I know,” he wrote.
Raja Petra also alleged that Dr Mohamed Osman had gone into hiding because the police wanted him to change his medical report to implicate Anwar.
“There is no truth to these allegations," said the Deputy IGP.
"In fact we interviewed the aforementioned doctor in the early stages of our investigation following the report lodged by Saiful.
“Neither did we arrest the doctor or detain him for three days as alleged in the Malaysia Today article. We do not have any plans to do so either,” Ismail said, declining to comment further.
PKR secretary-general Salehuddin Hashim said there needed to be a complete public disclosure of the facts of the case.
“The medical report appears to confirm what we have always believed – that the allegations against Anwar are without merit and are politically motivated.”
DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang said: “This is a very disturbing turn of developments and will subject Malaysia to a new spate of international bashing unless the police can come forward to throw light on the first medical report and the whereabouts of Dr Mohamed Osman.”
How the medical report was leaked, which is a breach of patient confidentiality, is unknown, but Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said the Malaysian Medical Council must look into the case.
A top Health Ministry official said the leaked report was probably not a full report because it appeared to be documenting only the superficial.
A spokesperson from the hospital said a statement would be issued soon.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Gerakan slams Pas-Umno merger proposal - NST
GEORGE TOWN: Jul 28, 2008
Gerakan yesterday said Barisan Nasional component parties would not support the proposal by Pas to merge with Umno to unite the Malays.
Its secretary-general, Datuk Seri Chia Kwang Chye, said the Pas proposal was inadvisable, especially for a multiracial country like Malaysia.
"The BN component parties will certainly not support such a proposal."
Chia also hit out at Pas for not being consistent in its policy.
He said this was evident in the difference of opinions among Pas leaders.
"They have never been consistent and this can be seen in the recent statements made by their leaders," he said after opening the Bukit Bendera Gerakan division annual general meeting last night.
Pas spiritual adviser Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat had on Saturday proposed that Pas and Umno be dissolved and a new party formed to unite all Malays.
However, on the same day, Pas president Datuk Seri Hadi Awang said in Ipoh that his party would neither merge with Umno nor join Barisan Nasional.
Chia said: "I foresee a power struggle between them now."
Earlier, branch chairman Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan urged Parti Keadilan Rakyat de factor leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to stop making statements as to when the next Federal Government would be formed, or how many BN members would defect to his party.
Gerakan yesterday said Barisan Nasional component parties would not support the proposal by Pas to merge with Umno to unite the Malays.Its secretary-general, Datuk Seri Chia Kwang Chye, said the Pas proposal was inadvisable, especially for a multiracial country like Malaysia.
"The BN component parties will certainly not support such a proposal."
Chia also hit out at Pas for not being consistent in its policy.
He said this was evident in the difference of opinions among Pas leaders.
"They have never been consistent and this can be seen in the recent statements made by their leaders," he said after opening the Bukit Bendera Gerakan division annual general meeting last night.
Pas spiritual adviser Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat had on Saturday proposed that Pas and Umno be dissolved and a new party formed to unite all Malays.
However, on the same day, Pas president Datuk Seri Hadi Awang said in Ipoh that his party would neither merge with Umno nor join Barisan Nasional.
Chia said: "I foresee a power struggle between them now."
Earlier, branch chairman Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan urged Parti Keadilan Rakyat de factor leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to stop making statements as to when the next Federal Government would be formed, or how many BN members would defect to his party.
Azizah: This proves my husband is innocent - Malaysiakini
Beh Lih Yi | Jul 28, 08 6:35pm
The medical report which found no evidence that Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan was sodomised proves that PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim is innocent, said his wife today.
"It’s a confirmation that it’s a conspiracy all along as this report goes to prove Anwar’s innocence," PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail told Malaysiakini.
In view of this, the opposition leader urged the police to investigate why there is an attempt to defame her husband instead of continuing the probe on the sodomy allegation.
Anwar could not be reached for comments but he is expected to hold a press conference at the PKR headquarters in Kuala Lumpur tomorrow morning.
The former deputy premier has maintained that he was innocent of the sodomy allegation - a charge reminiscent of what happened a decade ago when he was thrown out of government and into jail.
The medical report - where the doctor found no evidence of sodomy - was issued four hours before Saiful, who was Anwar’s former aide, lodged a police report on June 28 that he was sodomised by the opposition stalwart.
It is believed that Saiful went to two different hospitals that day.
He first went to Hospital Pusrawi (Pusat Rawatan Islam) in Jalan Tun Razak - a government-linked Islamic medical institution - at about 2pm.
Zero tear and scar
According to a copy of the two-page medical report obtained by Malaysiakini yesterday, Saiful went to the hospital complaining of 'tenesmus' - a medical term for difficulty and pain in passing motion.
He was examined by Dr Mohamed Osman Abdul Hamid, the medical officer on duty.
Mohamed Osman, according to his medical report which was recorded at 2.14pm, found "zero active bleeding", "zero ulcer or pus", "zero tear and scar" in Saiful's anus.
In his concluding remarks, the doctor advised Saiful to go to a government hospital so as "to rule out" assault and sodomy.
At 6pm, Saiful went to Hospital Kuala Lumpur for his second medical examination. He subsequently lodged a report against Anwar at the police beat in the hospital premises.
Hospital Pusrawi is carrying out an internal investigation on how Saiful’s medical report was leaked.
Saiful could not be reached for comment despite numerous attempts.
The medical report which found no evidence that Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan was sodomised proves that PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim is innocent, said his wife today.
"It’s a confirmation that it’s a conspiracy all along as this report goes to prove Anwar’s innocence," PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail told Malaysiakini.In view of this, the opposition leader urged the police to investigate why there is an attempt to defame her husband instead of continuing the probe on the sodomy allegation.
Anwar could not be reached for comments but he is expected to hold a press conference at the PKR headquarters in Kuala Lumpur tomorrow morning.
The former deputy premier has maintained that he was innocent of the sodomy allegation - a charge reminiscent of what happened a decade ago when he was thrown out of government and into jail.
The medical report - where the doctor found no evidence of sodomy - was issued four hours before Saiful, who was Anwar’s former aide, lodged a police report on June 28 that he was sodomised by the opposition stalwart.It is believed that Saiful went to two different hospitals that day.
He first went to Hospital Pusrawi (Pusat Rawatan Islam) in Jalan Tun Razak - a government-linked Islamic medical institution - at about 2pm.
Zero tear and scar
According to a copy of the two-page medical report obtained by Malaysiakini yesterday, Saiful went to the hospital complaining of 'tenesmus' - a medical term for difficulty and pain in passing motion.
He was examined by Dr Mohamed Osman Abdul Hamid, the medical officer on duty.
Mohamed Osman, according to his medical report which was recorded at 2.14pm, found "zero active bleeding", "zero ulcer or pus", "zero tear and scar" in Saiful's anus.
In his concluding remarks, the doctor advised Saiful to go to a government hospital so as "to rule out" assault and sodomy.
At 6pm, Saiful went to Hospital Kuala Lumpur for his second medical examination. He subsequently lodged a report against Anwar at the police beat in the hospital premises.
Hospital Pusrawi is carrying out an internal investigation on how Saiful’s medical report was leaked.
Saiful could not be reached for comment despite numerous attempts.
Sah, tiada Liwat — Laporan perubatan - Suara Keadilan
KUALA LUMPUR, 28 Julai
LAPORAN perubatan dari doktor yang memeriksa tubuh Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan mengesahkan tiada sebarang kesan yang menunjukkan dia diliwat. Pada 28 Jun lepas Saiful menemui Doktor Mohamed Osman Abdul Hamid dari Hospital Pusrawi mengadu dia merasa kesan sakit didubur ketika membuang air besar.
Tetapi laporan Doktor Mohamed yang dikeluarkan pada jam 2.14 petang, sebaik sahaja pemeriksaan dibuat ke atas tubuh Saiful mengesahkan tiada sebarang kesan liwat seperti yang didakwanya.
Laporan itu jelas menyatakan:
* Tiada kesan koyak pada kulit (skin tearing, zero)
* Tiada pendarahan aktif (active bleeding, zero)
* Tiada kesan nanah (traces of pus, zero)
laporan penuh boleh dibaca menerusi Suara Keadilan edisi 141 yang akan terbit esok.
Report: 1
Click to enlarge
Report: 2
Click to enlarge
LAPORAN perubatan dari doktor yang memeriksa tubuh Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan mengesahkan tiada sebarang kesan yang menunjukkan dia diliwat. Pada 28 Jun lepas Saiful menemui Doktor Mohamed Osman Abdul Hamid dari Hospital Pusrawi mengadu dia merasa kesan sakit didubur ketika membuang air besar.
Tetapi laporan Doktor Mohamed yang dikeluarkan pada jam 2.14 petang, sebaik sahaja pemeriksaan dibuat ke atas tubuh Saiful mengesahkan tiada sebarang kesan liwat seperti yang didakwanya.
Laporan itu jelas menyatakan:
* Tiada kesan koyak pada kulit (skin tearing, zero)
* Tiada pendarahan aktif (active bleeding, zero)
* Tiada kesan nanah (traces of pus, zero)
laporan penuh boleh dibaca menerusi Suara Keadilan edisi 141 yang akan terbit esok.
Report: 1
Click to enlargeReport: 2
Click to enlarge
Thugs threaten Klang MP - Sun
KLANG (July 28, 2008) : By Tim Leonard
Klang MP's car damaged
Klang MP Charles Santiago, his wife, an aide and a firend's son were surrounded and shaken by a gang of about 20 thugs outside the Sri Muniandy Temple in Port Klang early Sunday morning.
"It was the most harrowing experience of my life and I dread to think what would have happened if not for the help of onlookers," said Santiago.
Santiago had earlier attended the temple's 25th anniversary celebration and later held a dialogue session with residents on crime prevention efforts in the area.
The session was jointly organised by Santiago, the police and the Klang Action Safety Committee.
"Many issues were raised, especially on gangsterism and the rising crime rate in Klang,” Santiago told theSun after lodging a report in the Klang police headquarters today.
"Just as we were about to leave, we were surrounded by the thugs who started intimidating us.
One of them pushed (D.) Sarah (Santiago's assistant) on her chest before jumping on my car boot. Another started kicking my car, breaking the driver’s side window and damaging the MP's crest on my car,” he said.
"Another thug threatened to kill my friend's son who started taking photos of the thugs."
Santiago said one the thugs had earlier parked a Mercedes Benz in front of the temple and blocked the road.
"I believe the attack is politically motivated because some of the thugs repeatedly shouted words in Tamil saying 'You all have taken out Datuk (Seri S.) Samy Vellu'," said Santiago.
"It's shocking that these thugs used the name of Datuk Samy Vellu in this senseless assault. The thugs fled the scene when several people who attended the dialogue rushed up to us," he added.
A Klang police spokesman confirmed the report and said the suspect had yet to be nabbed. Police are recording statements from witnesses and have classified the case as criminal intimidation.
Klang MP's car damagedKlang MP Charles Santiago, his wife, an aide and a firend's son were surrounded and shaken by a gang of about 20 thugs outside the Sri Muniandy Temple in Port Klang early Sunday morning.
"It was the most harrowing experience of my life and I dread to think what would have happened if not for the help of onlookers," said Santiago.
Santiago had earlier attended the temple's 25th anniversary celebration and later held a dialogue session with residents on crime prevention efforts in the area.
The session was jointly organised by Santiago, the police and the Klang Action Safety Committee.
"Many issues were raised, especially on gangsterism and the rising crime rate in Klang,” Santiago told theSun after lodging a report in the Klang police headquarters today.
"Just as we were about to leave, we were surrounded by the thugs who started intimidating us.
One of them pushed (D.) Sarah (Santiago's assistant) on her chest before jumping on my car boot. Another started kicking my car, breaking the driver’s side window and damaging the MP's crest on my car,” he said.
"Another thug threatened to kill my friend's son who started taking photos of the thugs."
Santiago said one the thugs had earlier parked a Mercedes Benz in front of the temple and blocked the road.
"I believe the attack is politically motivated because some of the thugs repeatedly shouted words in Tamil saying 'You all have taken out Datuk (Seri S.) Samy Vellu'," said Santiago.
"It's shocking that these thugs used the name of Datuk Samy Vellu in this senseless assault. The thugs fled the scene when several people who attended the dialogue rushed up to us," he added.
A Klang police spokesman confirmed the report and said the suspect had yet to be nabbed. Police are recording statements from witnesses and have classified the case as criminal intimidation.
Pedal power rides to the fore - NST
PEDAL-POWERED PENANGITES: Cyclists seen here taking part in a riding campaign in George Town, showing one way of fighting the recent petrol price hike. — NST picture by GS Narinder Singh
GEORGE TOWN: The bicycle is back in vogue in Penang, and for good reason.
Two thousand cyclists rode in a 12km bicycle ride organised by the Consumers' Association of Penang (CAP) yesterday to show that pedal power was one answer to the recent petrol price hike.
They took 45 minutes to cycle down Lebuh Pantai, Lebuh Chulia, Jalan Penang, Jalan Burma, Jalan Anson, Jalan Perak, Jalan Macalister, Lebuhraya Peel, Jalan Pangkor, Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, Lebuh Farquhar, Lebuh Light and back to Lebuh Downing where they had been flagged off.
CAP president S.M. Mohamed Idris who flagged off the ride at Bangunan Tuanku Syed Putra said the state government should create bicycle lanes along roads.
He also urged the state government to provide free bicycles to civil servants who wanted to cycle to work.
"Penang is a suitable place for cycling as most destinations are reachable by bicycles. The bicycle can help consumers save on transport costs," he added.
Mohamed Idris said the bicycle was cheap to maintain and was a healthy way of travelling.
"With this campaign and hopefully more to come, we hope to create a network of bicycle lovers throughout Malaysia to demonstrate the use of the bicycle as a transport solution," he added.
He said Malaysians had to reduce their dependence on motorised transport to reduce carbon emission and combat climate change.
Mohamed Idris also urged the Federal Government to declare on a Saturday a National Cycling Day to promote cycling.
Among the cyclists were retired teacher Tan Tiang Tat, 60, his daughter-in-law Lum Pek Yok, 38, and grandchildren Lim Shian Ying, 11, and Lim Shian Weei, 9.
"Yesterday, we practised hard at the playground at Sungai Nibong," said Tan.
"Today's event is well organised and we enjoyed ourselves," he added.
Meanwhile, Safiah Ibrahim, 49, came with 10 other friends -- eight women and two men -- from Bukit Mertajam to take part in the campaign.
"We hired a lorry to transport our bicycles while we drove here in two cars," she said.
Safiah said she was part of an all-women cycling group.
They cycle three or four times a week around Tasek Gelugor, Ara Kuda and Sungai Dua on the mainland.
They had no trouble finishing yesterday's ride as they are used to cycling more than 12km on their regular trips.
Since 2006, CAP has organised six bicycle campaigns in Penang, Alor Star, Ipoh, UUM campus and Kangar.
Perak MB Nizar lauds idea - The Star
IPOH: Jul 28, 2008
Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin welcomes the idea of dissolving PAS as long as Umno is willing to do the same.
Nizar, who is Perak PAS deputy commissioner, said Umno should be willing to disband and form a new party with PAS based on Islamic principles.
“That means it must be a party which does not discriminate based on race, colour, creed and culture,” he told reporters after the closing of the state PAS convention here yesterday.
“It must be a party where decisions are made on the principles of justice and accountability. There would be no corruption, no misappropriation, no abuse of power,” he added.
Nizar said Umno was a party that championed Malay nationalism and that was why PAS and Umno could not work together.
“But if both parties were to disband and mutually agree on an Islamic policy, then it can be done,” he added.
He was commenting on PAS spiritual adviser Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat’s suggestion that Umno and PAS be dissolved and that a new party be formed to unite all Malays.
Asked if forming the new party was necessary in the present political climate, Nizar replied that one had to be “open minded”.
“We have seen that many previous man-made administrations have failed to cultivate a harmonious society. But there is an alternative to look at which is through the principles of Islam.”
Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin welcomes the idea of dissolving PAS as long as Umno is willing to do the same.Nizar, who is Perak PAS deputy commissioner, said Umno should be willing to disband and form a new party with PAS based on Islamic principles.
“That means it must be a party which does not discriminate based on race, colour, creed and culture,” he told reporters after the closing of the state PAS convention here yesterday.
“It must be a party where decisions are made on the principles of justice and accountability. There would be no corruption, no misappropriation, no abuse of power,” he added.
Nizar said Umno was a party that championed Malay nationalism and that was why PAS and Umno could not work together.
“But if both parties were to disband and mutually agree on an Islamic policy, then it can be done,” he added.
He was commenting on PAS spiritual adviser Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat’s suggestion that Umno and PAS be dissolved and that a new party be formed to unite all Malays.
Asked if forming the new party was necessary in the present political climate, Nizar replied that one had to be “open minded”.
“We have seen that many previous man-made administrations have failed to cultivate a harmonious society. But there is an alternative to look at which is through the principles of Islam.”
PPP: All Barisan components should merge to form one party - The Star
KOTA BARU: Jul 28, 2008 By C.A. ZULKIFLE
The People's Progressive Party (PPP) is again urging Barisan Nasional component parties to merge into a single entity to mark the change in the country’s political landscape and the recent emergence of a two-party political system.
PPP president Datuk M. Kayveas said the proposal by PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat that PAS and Umno be dissolved made sense, but it needed to be extended to all Barisan components.
“In Malaysia, there is no need to have several political parties, just have Barisan, and Pakatan Rakyat. If this transpires, PPP agrees with the proposal by Tok Guru (Nik Abdul Aziz),” he told a press conference here on Monday.
The lawyer turned politician was here to show moral support to his deputy Datuk Nik Sapeia Nik Yusof, who is facing a charge of intentionally causing hurt to former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and three others.
Kayveas was responding to a stunning remark by Nik Abdul Aziz three days ago that PAS and Umno be dissolved and a single party based on Islam principles be formed.
Kayveas said a PAS and Umno merger would only solve Malay unity and Islam issues, but a Barisan party would address inter-racial and religious issues as well.
He repeated his point, first made after the stunning setback suffered by the ruling coalition in the March 8 polls, that Malaysians are maturing and that Barisan reinvent itself by uniting all its component parties together to become a single party with a single system.
His idea was shot down by some Barisan leaders then.
The People's Progressive Party (PPP) is again urging Barisan Nasional component parties to merge into a single entity to mark the change in the country’s political landscape and the recent emergence of a two-party political system.PPP president Datuk M. Kayveas said the proposal by PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat that PAS and Umno be dissolved made sense, but it needed to be extended to all Barisan components.
“In Malaysia, there is no need to have several political parties, just have Barisan, and Pakatan Rakyat. If this transpires, PPP agrees with the proposal by Tok Guru (Nik Abdul Aziz),” he told a press conference here on Monday.
The lawyer turned politician was here to show moral support to his deputy Datuk Nik Sapeia Nik Yusof, who is facing a charge of intentionally causing hurt to former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and three others.
Kayveas was responding to a stunning remark by Nik Abdul Aziz three days ago that PAS and Umno be dissolved and a single party based on Islam principles be formed.
Kayveas said a PAS and Umno merger would only solve Malay unity and Islam issues, but a Barisan party would address inter-racial and religious issues as well.
He repeated his point, first made after the stunning setback suffered by the ruling coalition in the March 8 polls, that Malaysians are maturing and that Barisan reinvent itself by uniting all its component parties together to become a single party with a single system.
His idea was shot down by some Barisan leaders then.
Tycoon to defend charge of injuring Dr M - The Star
KOTA BARU: Jul 28, 2008
The Magistrate's Court here on Monday ordered businessman Datuk Nik Sapeia Nik Yusoff to make his defence on a charge of causing hurt to former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and three other people two years ago.
Magistrate Azman Mustapha, in making the order, said the prosecution had made out a prima facie case against Nik Sapeia, 53, who is charged under Section 324 of the Penal Code for injuring them by spraying a substance which posed a danger to the body when inhaled.
Azman set Dec 15 to 19 for the hearing.
If convicted, Nik Sapeia is liable to a maximum of three years jail, or a fine, or whipping, or any two of the penalties.
The offence was allegedly committed at the Sultan Ismail Petra Airport in Pengkalan Chepa here at 11 am on July 28 2006.
Deputy Public Prosecutors Raja Rozela Raja Toran and Khairul Anuar Wahab appeared for the prosecution while Nik Sapeia was represented by Zainal Abidin Mustaffa, Mohd Ilyas Mohd Noor and Datuk Abdul Aziz Nawi. -- Bernama
The Magistrate's Court here on Monday ordered businessman Datuk Nik Sapeia Nik Yusoff to make his defence on a charge of causing hurt to former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and three other people two years ago.
Magistrate Azman Mustapha, in making the order, said the prosecution had made out a prima facie case against Nik Sapeia, 53, who is charged under Section 324 of the Penal Code for injuring them by spraying a substance which posed a danger to the body when inhaled.
Azman set Dec 15 to 19 for the hearing.
If convicted, Nik Sapeia is liable to a maximum of three years jail, or a fine, or whipping, or any two of the penalties.
The offence was allegedly committed at the Sultan Ismail Petra Airport in Pengkalan Chepa here at 11 am on July 28 2006.
Deputy Public Prosecutors Raja Rozela Raja Toran and Khairul Anuar Wahab appeared for the prosecution while Nik Sapeia was represented by Zainal Abidin Mustaffa, Mohd Ilyas Mohd Noor and Datuk Abdul Aziz Nawi. -- Bernama
Ezam: I'll take on Anwar - The Star
PETALING JAYA: Jul 28, 2008
Former PKR Youth chief Ezam Mohd Nor, who has since joined Umno, is willing to take on PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in a by-election.
He said he was not afraid of facing his former boss if selected by the Barisan Nasional leadership to contest in the election, preferably in the Bandar Tun Razak parliamentary constituency.
Ezam, who rejoined Umno on May 28, said he was an ordinary of Umno member and it was up to the leadership to make a decision on the candidate to take on Anwar.
"I would like to clarify that I am ready to face Anwar in the election if named the candidate," he told reporters on Monday.
Ezam was confidential secretary to Anwar from 1996 until his former boss was expelled from the government and Umno in 1998, and was a key member of Keadilan before it was renamed Parti Keadilan Rakyat.
He quit PKR two years ago.
On Sunday Anwar said he may contest in Kulim-Bandar Baharu in Kedah if there was a by-election there.
Former PKR Youth chief Ezam Mohd Nor, who has since joined Umno, is willing to take on PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in a by-election.He said he was not afraid of facing his former boss if selected by the Barisan Nasional leadership to contest in the election, preferably in the Bandar Tun Razak parliamentary constituency.
Ezam, who rejoined Umno on May 28, said he was an ordinary of Umno member and it was up to the leadership to make a decision on the candidate to take on Anwar.
"I would like to clarify that I am ready to face Anwar in the election if named the candidate," he told reporters on Monday.
Ezam was confidential secretary to Anwar from 1996 until his former boss was expelled from the government and Umno in 1998, and was a key member of Keadilan before it was renamed Parti Keadilan Rakyat.
He quit PKR two years ago.
On Sunday Anwar said he may contest in Kulim-Bandar Baharu in Kedah if there was a by-election there.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
BN umpan RM30 juta pikat Adun Pakatan Rakyat di Perak? - Harakah
BESUT, 27 Julai (Hrkh) Oleh Ramli Yamat
Keghairahan Umno Perak kononnya akan menubuh kerajaan pada 31 Ogos depan dengan 'membeli' tiga wakil rakyat Pakatan Rakyat dianggap sebagai igauan di siang hari.
Menteri Besar Perak, Datuk Seri Ir Muhammad Nizar Jamaluddin berkata, bagi mencapai hasrat tersebut mereka dikatakan sanggup membeli wakil rakyat Pakatan Rakyat sehingga RM30 juta seorang.
Katanya, walaupun Umno menawar harga yang tinggi, namun semua wakil rakyat Pakatan Rakyat di Perak memberi jaminan tidak akan menerima tawaran tersebut sebaliknya akan terus kekal dengan kerajaan sekarang.
Oleh itu dakwaan bekas Menteri Besar Perak Dato� Seri Tajul Rosli Ghazali yang mendakwa kerajaan Pakatan Rakyat Perak akan tumbang 31 Ogos ini hanyalah gimik politik semata-mata.
Beliau menyatakan perkara itu ketika menyampaikan ceramahnya di Dewan Haji Salleh, Pekan Alor Lintah, baru-baru ini.
Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) Perak kini mempunyai 59 ahli di mana 28 Umno, 18 DAP, 7 PKR dan 6 PAS.
Beliau juga mengakui pelantikannya sebagai Menteri Besar merupakan satu keajaiban yang telah ditentukan oleh Allah Taala.
"Walaupun PAS hanya memenangi 6 kerusi Dun berbanding DAP sebanyak 18 dan Parti Keadilan Rakyat 7, namun semua pemimpin parti dalam Pakatan serta baginda Sultan bersetuju melantik Adun PAS sebagai menteri besar.
"Kita telah memberitahu rakyat Perak, Allah Taala telah menurunkan rahmatNya ke atas negeri itu dengan menubuhkan kerajaan melalui kesepakatan di antara pemimpin PAS, DAP dan PKR," katanya.
Beliau juga berkata, walaupun Perak merupakan kerajaan berbilang bangsa atau parti, namun pemimpin DAP boleh menerima program keislaman yang dilaksanakan.
Sebagai contoh Pengerusi DAP Perak Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham menanyakan berapa ganjaran yang diberikan kepada qari dan qariah Perak yang berjaya menjadi johan Tilawah Al-Quran Peringkat Kebangsaan di Kedah, baru-baru.
"Saya mencadangkan kita beri RM1,000 seorang dan Dato� Ngeh pula cadangkan kerajaan negeri memberi RM10,000 seperti diberi kerajaaan Pusat," katanya.
Bagaimanapun katanya, pihak yang tidak boleh menerima kerajaan sekarang hanyalah pemimpin Umno yang diketuai Tajul Rosli.
Keghairahan Umno Perak kononnya akan menubuh kerajaan pada 31 Ogos depan dengan 'membeli' tiga wakil rakyat Pakatan Rakyat dianggap sebagai igauan di siang hari.
Menteri Besar Perak, Datuk Seri Ir Muhammad Nizar Jamaluddin berkata, bagi mencapai hasrat tersebut mereka dikatakan sanggup membeli wakil rakyat Pakatan Rakyat sehingga RM30 juta seorang.Katanya, walaupun Umno menawar harga yang tinggi, namun semua wakil rakyat Pakatan Rakyat di Perak memberi jaminan tidak akan menerima tawaran tersebut sebaliknya akan terus kekal dengan kerajaan sekarang.
Oleh itu dakwaan bekas Menteri Besar Perak Dato� Seri Tajul Rosli Ghazali yang mendakwa kerajaan Pakatan Rakyat Perak akan tumbang 31 Ogos ini hanyalah gimik politik semata-mata.
Beliau menyatakan perkara itu ketika menyampaikan ceramahnya di Dewan Haji Salleh, Pekan Alor Lintah, baru-baru ini.
Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) Perak kini mempunyai 59 ahli di mana 28 Umno, 18 DAP, 7 PKR dan 6 PAS.
Beliau juga mengakui pelantikannya sebagai Menteri Besar merupakan satu keajaiban yang telah ditentukan oleh Allah Taala.
"Walaupun PAS hanya memenangi 6 kerusi Dun berbanding DAP sebanyak 18 dan Parti Keadilan Rakyat 7, namun semua pemimpin parti dalam Pakatan serta baginda Sultan bersetuju melantik Adun PAS sebagai menteri besar.
"Kita telah memberitahu rakyat Perak, Allah Taala telah menurunkan rahmatNya ke atas negeri itu dengan menubuhkan kerajaan melalui kesepakatan di antara pemimpin PAS, DAP dan PKR," katanya.
Beliau juga berkata, walaupun Perak merupakan kerajaan berbilang bangsa atau parti, namun pemimpin DAP boleh menerima program keislaman yang dilaksanakan.
Sebagai contoh Pengerusi DAP Perak Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham menanyakan berapa ganjaran yang diberikan kepada qari dan qariah Perak yang berjaya menjadi johan Tilawah Al-Quran Peringkat Kebangsaan di Kedah, baru-baru.
"Saya mencadangkan kita beri RM1,000 seorang dan Dato� Ngeh pula cadangkan kerajaan negeri memberi RM10,000 seperti diberi kerajaaan Pusat," katanya.
Bagaimanapun katanya, pihak yang tidak boleh menerima kerajaan sekarang hanyalah pemimpin Umno yang diketuai Tajul Rosli.
A man of the highest ethical standards...
International support for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim continues to mount against attempts to derail his efforts to pursue economic and social reforms in Malaysia. The latest comes from three prominent world leaders, Paul Martin, Jim Wolfensohn and Michel Camdessus:
July 24, 2008
As many of those who have had the privilege to work with him or under his leadership in international institutions, we have heard with deep concern the charges filed against the honorable Datuk Seri Dr. Anwar Ibrahim, in spite of the fact that similar unsubstantiated charges filed ten years ago against him were overturned by the Supreme Court.
We would like, in such circumstances, to reiterate our full confidence in his moral integrity, as a man who has demonstrated, in the discharge of his national and international responsibilities, the highest ethical standards of leadership, fighting for international justice, peace and development.
We want also to express our confidence that whatever the present political circumstances, the Government of Malaysia will exert a particular restraint in the handling of this case and will demonstrate, by dropping the charges introduced against Dr. Anwar Ibrahim, an exemplary sense of respect for the rights of the individual which are so important to the international standing of Malaysia.
Signed by,
Paul Martin, Former Prime Minister of Canada and former Chairman of the G20
Michel Camdessus, Former Managing Director and Chairman of the Board of the International Monetary Fund
James Wolfensohn, Former President of the World Bank
Statements have also been issued by Muslim leaders from around the world, AccountAbility, the State Department (here, here, and here), NDI, Senator Joe Biden, the International Crisis Group, Human Rights Watch also issued a very strong condemnation of the politically motivated charges against Anwar Ibrahim:
“The Malaysian government’s record provides little basis to believe this is anything other than a partisan political attack on Anwar,” said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “In light of past false allegations and his unfair trial, Anwar has good reason to worry that his rights won’t be respected.”
DAP Wants Pakatan Rakyat To Review PAS Membership
KUALA LUMPUR, July 27 (Bernama)
Cracks are beginning to emerge in the three-party opposition coalition Pakatan Rakyat, with DAP openly declaring it now wants the alliance to review PAS' membership in the grouping.
DAP national chairman Karpal Singh said PAS had thrown grave doubts over its credibility, adding that Pakatan Rakyat should seriously consider, in view of events of late, whether PAS should be allowed continued membership in the alliance.
"The assurance by PAS president (Datuk Seri) Abdul Hadi Awang to Pakatan Rakyat partners (Parti Keadilan Rakyat and DAP), that PAS will not abandon the alliance to join the BN, is not bona fide and is not supported by past events.
"After the March 8 general elections, PAS had talks with Umno to form a coalition government in Selangor.
"This was an act of bad faith as both DAP and PKR were not informed of such a move by PAS," he said in a statement, Sunday.
The Bukit Gelugor member of parliament was reacting to recent reports wich confirmed that PAS and Umno, the backbone of the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN), were in talks to sustain Malay unity in the country.
Karpal also slammed the move by PAS to hold another round of talks with Umno "in the name of Malay unity", calling this a "racial move" by PAS, which he claimed was incongruous with the policies of the DAP and Pakatan Rakyat.
Pakatan Rakyat, made up of DAP, PKR and PAS, rule five states, namely Kelantan, Kedah, Pulau Pinang, Perak and Selangor.
Any break-up in the coalition will result in change in the state governments of these states, except for Kelantan where PAS secures majority of the state seats.
Yesterday, PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat suggested that UMNO and PAS be dissolved and a new party formed to unite all Malays.
"Such a revelation is startling and has serious ramifications, implications and consequences. Nik Aziz's statement reduces to naught Hadi Awang's statement in Ipoh, also yesterday, that PAS would not merge with Umno or join Barisan Nasional.
"Obviously, statements made by PAS leaders of late, give the perception that they are out to scuttle the Pakatan Rakyat," said Karpal.
The DAP chairman's statement also had an error, stating PAS' Nasharudin Mat Isa as PAS secretary-general when in actual fact, the PAS diehard was the party's deputy president.
"Last week, PAS secretary-general (to read as deputy president) Nasharudin Mat Isa stated that the Malays were beginning to believe the sodomy allegations against Anwar Ibrahim.
"Why did Nasharudin make such a statement? In making the statement, he has committed PAS as a whole, he being its secretary-general (deputy president).
"Nasharudin's statement is not only contempous and ill-advised but an open attack on Anwar Ibrahim who is presently embroiled in efforts to tarnish his credibility by allegations of sodomy.
"PAS should not and cannot be allowed to run with the hares and hunt with hounds, lest it be devoured by the hounds," said Karpal.
He said the March 8 general election had given the opposition coalition the mandate to rule five states with 82 members of parliament, and that it was "obvious" that the people wanted a two-party system.
"Above all, the rakyat (people) voted along non-racial lines. Instead of working towards a non-racial policy to unite all Malaysians, PAS has chosen to make efforts to unite all Malays.
"The Pakatan Rakyat was formed to unite all Malaysians. That is the expectation of the rakyat," he added.
Cracks are beginning to emerge in the three-party opposition coalition Pakatan Rakyat, with DAP openly declaring it now wants the alliance to review PAS' membership in the grouping.
DAP national chairman Karpal Singh said PAS had thrown grave doubts over its credibility, adding that Pakatan Rakyat should seriously consider, in view of events of late, whether PAS should be allowed continued membership in the alliance.
"The assurance by PAS president (Datuk Seri) Abdul Hadi Awang to Pakatan Rakyat partners (Parti Keadilan Rakyat and DAP), that PAS will not abandon the alliance to join the BN, is not bona fide and is not supported by past events.
"After the March 8 general elections, PAS had talks with Umno to form a coalition government in Selangor.
"This was an act of bad faith as both DAP and PKR were not informed of such a move by PAS," he said in a statement, Sunday.
The Bukit Gelugor member of parliament was reacting to recent reports wich confirmed that PAS and Umno, the backbone of the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN), were in talks to sustain Malay unity in the country.
Karpal also slammed the move by PAS to hold another round of talks with Umno "in the name of Malay unity", calling this a "racial move" by PAS, which he claimed was incongruous with the policies of the DAP and Pakatan Rakyat.
Pakatan Rakyat, made up of DAP, PKR and PAS, rule five states, namely Kelantan, Kedah, Pulau Pinang, Perak and Selangor.
Any break-up in the coalition will result in change in the state governments of these states, except for Kelantan where PAS secures majority of the state seats.
Yesterday, PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat suggested that UMNO and PAS be dissolved and a new party formed to unite all Malays.
"Such a revelation is startling and has serious ramifications, implications and consequences. Nik Aziz's statement reduces to naught Hadi Awang's statement in Ipoh, also yesterday, that PAS would not merge with Umno or join Barisan Nasional.
"Obviously, statements made by PAS leaders of late, give the perception that they are out to scuttle the Pakatan Rakyat," said Karpal.
The DAP chairman's statement also had an error, stating PAS' Nasharudin Mat Isa as PAS secretary-general when in actual fact, the PAS diehard was the party's deputy president.
"Last week, PAS secretary-general (to read as deputy president) Nasharudin Mat Isa stated that the Malays were beginning to believe the sodomy allegations against Anwar Ibrahim.
"Why did Nasharudin make such a statement? In making the statement, he has committed PAS as a whole, he being its secretary-general (deputy president).
"Nasharudin's statement is not only contempous and ill-advised but an open attack on Anwar Ibrahim who is presently embroiled in efforts to tarnish his credibility by allegations of sodomy.
"PAS should not and cannot be allowed to run with the hares and hunt with hounds, lest it be devoured by the hounds," said Karpal.
He said the March 8 general election had given the opposition coalition the mandate to rule five states with 82 members of parliament, and that it was "obvious" that the people wanted a two-party system.
"Above all, the rakyat (people) voted along non-racial lines. Instead of working towards a non-racial policy to unite all Malaysians, PAS has chosen to make efforts to unite all Malays.
"The Pakatan Rakyat was formed to unite all Malaysians. That is the expectation of the rakyat," he added.
MONEY - MORE WASTE AND LOSSES
Posted by Dr. Mahathir Mohamad
The Government of Dato Seri Abdullah Badawi has lost billions of Ringgit by cancelling the bridge project to replace the causeway, postponing the double-tracking and electrification of the North-South railway and the sale of M.V. Agusta by Proton.
The Government had also wasted money - RM2 billion in Terengganu.
Thinking that he had the right to use Wang Ehsan, the royalty from Petronas to the State of Terengganu totalling more than five billion Ringgit over several years Dato Seri Abdullah together with Dato Seri Idris Jusoh, the former Menteri Besar of Terengganu went on a spending spree.
Without any proper study and planning, without bothering about the rules and regulations about how Government money should be allocated and used, Dato Seri Abdullah and Dato Seri Idris and their cronies spent huge sums of the "Wang Ehsan" on a theme park (Crystal Mosque), Monsoon Cup, development of Setiu etc etc. More than two billion Ringgit were poured into Terengganu.
Then in 2008, Barisan Nasional won and Abdullah happily decided to spend more of the Wang Ehsan on fancy projects.
Unfortunately the Sultan of Terengganu refused to have Idris Jusoh as Menteri Besar. It was a slap in the face fo Abdullah when he was forced to accept the Sultan's nominee as Menteri Besar.
This new Menteri Besar insisted that the royalty due to Terengganu should be paid to the State and the State should manage the fund.
This was as it should be. But the Menteri Besar insisted that what was spent before this in building the theme park, organising the Monsoon Cup etc worth about RM 2 billion was not from the royalty due to Terengganu. It was from Federal fund.
He demanded that the full amount of royalty over the years should be paid to Terengganu.
So RM2 billion of Federal funds have been expended on Terengganu, the richest State in Malaysia.
Failing this Terengganu has a court case initiated by the PAS Government which the BN State Government has not withdrawn.
The Federal Government will now have to find some RM5 billion to give to Terengganu. Where is this money going to come from? Obviously from the Federal Consolidated Fund.
Basically the Federal Government will lose RM5 billion because it had assumed that a tame Terengganu Menteri Besar would collaborate in some of the most wasteful projects for the State and the country.
I am told that a Disneyland designer was engaged to design the "Crystal Mosque" and theme park. Must cost a lot.
Some contractors made tons of money getting projects without proper processes.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
PAS not leaving Pakatan Rakyat: Hadi - The Star
IPOH: Jul 26, 2008
PAS has reassured its Pakatan Rakyat partners that the party would not abandon the coalition to join Barisan Nasional.
Party president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, who gave the assurance Saturday, said PAS did not plan to join Umno.
"There is no joining with Umno; none. We are also not entering Barisan," he told reporters after launching the 13th Perak PAS convention here.
Abdul Hadi added that the talks only transpired because Umno had invited PAS to partake in them.
"Kita diajak, bukan kita yang mengajak (we were invited, we did not invite)," he stressed.
"In Islam, when people invite, we say yes," he added.
Abdul Hadi also explained that the PAS-Umno talks were a muqabalah (face-to-face interview) and not a muzakarah (dialogue).
"A muzakarah involves debate. There was no debate during the talks.
"Umno gave us the opportunity to raise our grouses with them and so we did," he said.
Abdul Hadi revealed that PAS told Umno that Barisan needed to undergo changes.
"We also spoke of making changes to the country's judiciary," he said.
On whether the rumours of a split in Pakatan’s upper ranks were true, Abdul Hadi said:
"There is no split. As I said earlier, we were invited for the muqabalah."
In his speech earlier, Abdul Hadi said that PAS, when compared with PKR and the DAP, had faced more "pressures" from the Barisan.
"We have been keeping these grievances in our heart. This is why we were willing to meet with Umno; so we could list down these problems," he said.
Perak PAS commissioner Ahmad Awang, who also attended the opening, reiterated Abdul Hadi's assurance that PAS had no intention of leaving the state Pakatan Rakyat.
"I have received SMSes from some of our leaders asking me if it is true that PAS planned to join Umno.
"I am sure that my answers have laid their worries to rest," he said.
PAS has reassured its Pakatan Rakyat partners that the party would not abandon the coalition to join Barisan Nasional.Party president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, who gave the assurance Saturday, said PAS did not plan to join Umno.
"There is no joining with Umno; none. We are also not entering Barisan," he told reporters after launching the 13th Perak PAS convention here.
Abdul Hadi added that the talks only transpired because Umno had invited PAS to partake in them.
"Kita diajak, bukan kita yang mengajak (we were invited, we did not invite)," he stressed.
"In Islam, when people invite, we say yes," he added.
Abdul Hadi also explained that the PAS-Umno talks were a muqabalah (face-to-face interview) and not a muzakarah (dialogue).
"A muzakarah involves debate. There was no debate during the talks.
"Umno gave us the opportunity to raise our grouses with them and so we did," he said.
Abdul Hadi revealed that PAS told Umno that Barisan needed to undergo changes.
"We also spoke of making changes to the country's judiciary," he said.
On whether the rumours of a split in Pakatan’s upper ranks were true, Abdul Hadi said:
"There is no split. As I said earlier, we were invited for the muqabalah."
In his speech earlier, Abdul Hadi said that PAS, when compared with PKR and the DAP, had faced more "pressures" from the Barisan.
"We have been keeping these grievances in our heart. This is why we were willing to meet with Umno; so we could list down these problems," he said.
Perak PAS commissioner Ahmad Awang, who also attended the opening, reiterated Abdul Hadi's assurance that PAS had no intention of leaving the state Pakatan Rakyat.
"I have received SMSes from some of our leaders asking me if it is true that PAS planned to join Umno.
"I am sure that my answers have laid their worries to rest," he said.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Quote of the day from Kit Siang
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said that Umno had offered to share power with PAS in Selangor after the March general election, as it had the right to negotiate with any party form the state government.
Asked if it was true that PAS officials were offered to become the Mentri Besar in Selangor, he said:
"Maybe at the early stages when there were (questions on) who was going to form the government at that time because Umno had the highest number of votes.
Quote of the day:
"Are you PakLah the Prime Minister for all races or for ?????"
Hello Ong Ka Ting. What is MCA's stand about UMNO working with PAS now? So MCA should apologise to the Chinese community because its partner UMNO has secret relationship with PAS???
Asked if it was true that PAS officials were offered to become the Mentri Besar in Selangor, he said:
"Maybe at the early stages when there were (questions on) who was going to form the government at that time because Umno had the highest number of votes.
Quote of the day:
"Are you PakLah the Prime Minister for all races or for ?????"
Hello Ong Ka Ting. What is MCA's stand about UMNO working with PAS now? So MCA should apologise to the Chinese community because its partner UMNO has secret relationship with PAS???
Abdullah: PAS was offered Selangor MB post at early stage - The Sun
PUTRAJAYA (July 25, 2008)By Husna Yusop
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said PAS was offered the position of Selangor Mentri Besar at the early stage of the Umno-PAS when the state government has yet to be formed.
He said there was nothing wrong with making such an offer as during that time, Umno felt it has garnered the highest number of votes during the general election, therefore it has the right to negotiate with any parties to form the government.
"At that time, Umno held that it has a right to seek the opportunity to form the government and to negotiate with any parties to form the government. It was in that process that it came up. It was in that kind of argument.
"There was nothing wrong with it. There was nothing bad about it because the government has yet to be formed and Umno felt that the party with the highest number of votes has the right to seek cooperation, alliance or coalition with any political parties," he said Friday (July 25).
Abdullah said Umno had felt that Barisan Nasional (BN), as the coalition with the biggest number of votes, should lead the Selangor government because opposition’s Pakatan Rakyat was not a formal registered party like BN.
"If they (BN) had enough votes, they were able to present to the Sultan of Selangor, (saying) look, we have enough number of votes to form the government. But it never happen," he said.
Asked whether there is a likelihood of cooperation in terms of politic with PAS rather than on religion and unity only, he said: "I do not wish to make any kinds of prediction on what can happen in future."
On the purchase of 14 Mercedes E200 Kompressor cars by the Terengganu state government, he said during a discussion with his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak and Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said, it has been decided the luxury cars will be used for state guests.
"It was already a cabinet decision that the Terengganu government should not use the Mercedes for its exco and state officials. That we have decided. That is clear.
"But in this matter, since the Mercedes have been bought, if they were to sell them, there would be a loss, so I said use them for the state guests in future," he said.
On calls by certain quarters for the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) to investigate projects in under the previous government in Terengganu like the Monsoon Cup and Islamic Civilisation Garden, he said it is up to ACA to do so.
"If the ACA found there were reasons for it to carry out investigation due to the presence of elements related to corruption, it is up to ACA. It is for the ACA to decide," he said.
On the call by three former foreign figures for Malaysia to drop its sodomy charges against Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice saying Washington would continue to speak out in legal cases such as that of Anwar, despite accusations of meddling, Abdullah had this to say:
"We are a sovereign country. We have our own set of laws. Whatever we do we will make every effort to ensure it is consistent with the laws that we have in Malaysia . That’s what we do and I hope people will respect that. Therefore I would say nothing else."
The three figures were former Canadian prime minister Paul Martin, ex-World Bank chief James Wolfensohn and former head of International Monetary Fund Michel Camdessus.
On whether there were plans to show the footage of Anwar while in police detention on July 16, he said: "The investigation is not completed yet. I would not want to say what they need to do or what they need to look into. I leave it entirely to the police.
"The investigation is their responsibility. They should know what to do."
On Singapore ’s claim for the territorial sea and an exclusive economic zone around Pulau Batu Puteh, Abdullah said the cabinet did not discuss it but had knowledge about the matter.
He said a technical committee had been set up following the International Court of Justice’s decision to hand over the island to Singapore therefore any matters arising from the decision should be dealt with by the committee.
"If there were doubts or dissatisfaction over follow-up actions, it should be brought to the committee, no need to fight over or argue about this in the press," he added.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said PAS was offered the position of Selangor Mentri Besar at the early stage of the Umno-PAS when the state government has yet to be formed.He said there was nothing wrong with making such an offer as during that time, Umno felt it has garnered the highest number of votes during the general election, therefore it has the right to negotiate with any parties to form the government.
"At that time, Umno held that it has a right to seek the opportunity to form the government and to negotiate with any parties to form the government. It was in that process that it came up. It was in that kind of argument.
"There was nothing wrong with it. There was nothing bad about it because the government has yet to be formed and Umno felt that the party with the highest number of votes has the right to seek cooperation, alliance or coalition with any political parties," he said Friday (July 25).
Abdullah said Umno had felt that Barisan Nasional (BN), as the coalition with the biggest number of votes, should lead the Selangor government because opposition’s Pakatan Rakyat was not a formal registered party like BN.
"If they (BN) had enough votes, they were able to present to the Sultan of Selangor, (saying) look, we have enough number of votes to form the government. But it never happen," he said.
Asked whether there is a likelihood of cooperation in terms of politic with PAS rather than on religion and unity only, he said: "I do not wish to make any kinds of prediction on what can happen in future."
On the purchase of 14 Mercedes E200 Kompressor cars by the Terengganu state government, he said during a discussion with his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak and Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said, it has been decided the luxury cars will be used for state guests.
"It was already a cabinet decision that the Terengganu government should not use the Mercedes for its exco and state officials. That we have decided. That is clear.
"But in this matter, since the Mercedes have been bought, if they were to sell them, there would be a loss, so I said use them for the state guests in future," he said.
On calls by certain quarters for the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) to investigate projects in under the previous government in Terengganu like the Monsoon Cup and Islamic Civilisation Garden, he said it is up to ACA to do so.
"If the ACA found there were reasons for it to carry out investigation due to the presence of elements related to corruption, it is up to ACA. It is for the ACA to decide," he said.
On the call by three former foreign figures for Malaysia to drop its sodomy charges against Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice saying Washington would continue to speak out in legal cases such as that of Anwar, despite accusations of meddling, Abdullah had this to say:
"We are a sovereign country. We have our own set of laws. Whatever we do we will make every effort to ensure it is consistent with the laws that we have in Malaysia . That’s what we do and I hope people will respect that. Therefore I would say nothing else."
The three figures were former Canadian prime minister Paul Martin, ex-World Bank chief James Wolfensohn and former head of International Monetary Fund Michel Camdessus.
On whether there were plans to show the footage of Anwar while in police detention on July 16, he said: "The investigation is not completed yet. I would not want to say what they need to do or what they need to look into. I leave it entirely to the police.
"The investigation is their responsibility. They should know what to do."
On Singapore ’s claim for the territorial sea and an exclusive economic zone around Pulau Batu Puteh, Abdullah said the cabinet did not discuss it but had knowledge about the matter.
He said a technical committee had been set up following the International Court of Justice’s decision to hand over the island to Singapore therefore any matters arising from the decision should be dealt with by the committee.
"If there were doubts or dissatisfaction over follow-up actions, it should be brought to the committee, no need to fight over or argue about this in the press," he added.
Cops quiz Sivarasa on SD - The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: Jul 25, 2008 By ELIZABETH LOOI
Subang MP R. Sivarasa was questioned by the police for about four hours over private investigator P. Balasubramaniam's first statutory declaration on the murder case of Altantuya Shaariibuu.
Sivarasa, who is also one of the lawyers for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, said he was asked if Balasubramaniam had made the statutory declaration under duress.
He said the investigation was mainly focused on the first statutury declaration except for one question on the second statutory declaration, which he said he was not involved in.
"I told the police that I am convinced that the first statutory declaration was made voluntarily and not under duress and the first statutory declaration is the truth.
"But I do not know about the second statutory declaration," Sivarasa told reporters Friday after giving his statement to the police at the Commercial Crime Investigation Department here.
Sivarasa arrived at the police department at 10am with his lawyer, Oh Choong Ghee, and finished recording his statement at 2pm.
Balasubramaniam made his first statutory declaration on July 1, linking Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda to the murder case.
On July 4, he made a second sworn statement to retract his first document.
Sivarasa said he was asked about his first meeting with Balasubramaniam and the information he had about the first statutory declaration.
"I met him about two months before he made his first statutory declaration and he told me about Abdul Razak Baginda and all the information that (he said) was deleted by the police.
"I told him to get a lawyer and record whatever it is he wanted to say and when I was told that the statutory declaration was ready, I met him again and called for a press conference," he said.
Sivarasa, who is also PKR vice-president, said although he was willing to cooperate with the police, he felt that there should be an independent investigation on which statutory declaration was true.
"PKR reiterates our call for a Royal Commission, an independent body to investigate which of the statutory declaration is true," he said.
Subang MP R. Sivarasa was questioned by the police for about four hours over private investigator P. Balasubramaniam's first statutory declaration on the murder case of Altantuya Shaariibuu.Sivarasa, who is also one of the lawyers for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, said he was asked if Balasubramaniam had made the statutory declaration under duress.
He said the investigation was mainly focused on the first statutury declaration except for one question on the second statutory declaration, which he said he was not involved in.
"I told the police that I am convinced that the first statutory declaration was made voluntarily and not under duress and the first statutory declaration is the truth.
"But I do not know about the second statutory declaration," Sivarasa told reporters Friday after giving his statement to the police at the Commercial Crime Investigation Department here.
Sivarasa arrived at the police department at 10am with his lawyer, Oh Choong Ghee, and finished recording his statement at 2pm.
Balasubramaniam made his first statutory declaration on July 1, linking Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda to the murder case.
On July 4, he made a second sworn statement to retract his first document.
Sivarasa said he was asked about his first meeting with Balasubramaniam and the information he had about the first statutory declaration.
"I met him about two months before he made his first statutory declaration and he told me about Abdul Razak Baginda and all the information that (he said) was deleted by the police.
"I told him to get a lawyer and record whatever it is he wanted to say and when I was told that the statutory declaration was ready, I met him again and called for a press conference," he said.
Sivarasa, who is also PKR vice-president, said although he was willing to cooperate with the police, he felt that there should be an independent investigation on which statutory declaration was true.
"PKR reiterates our call for a Royal Commission, an independent body to investigate which of the statutory declaration is true," he said.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
US rejects claim that Anwar case is an internal affair - The Star
SINGAPORE: Jul 24, 2008
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Thursday urged Malaysia to be transparent and follow the rule of law in dealing with the sodomy accusation against Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
"The United States has long spoken and will continue to speak up about cases that we think need to be thought about in terms of the political circumstances,'' said Rice, who is here to attend a regional security conference.
"We want to see transparency and for rule of law to be completely followed there,'' she told reporters just before going into the 27-nation meeting. "We are always going to speak up on human rights cases, political cases, but we do so in a spirit of respect for Malaysia.''
Rice said "part of the comfort level or the confidence that states need to bring to the international system is that their judicial systems are indeed responsive to rule of law and (are) transparent and fair.''
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice, center, walks through the lobby of Shangri-La hotel after attending the 15th ASEAN Regional Forum retreat meeting in Singapore, Thursday. - AP
She also rejected Malaysia's claim that the Anwar case is an internal affair.
"The United States doesn't recognise this very firm barrier that it is simply internal affairs when a case of this kind comes up, but we are going to continue to work with Malaysia,'' she said.
Rice's comments were the first public remarks in response to a protest letter that Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said he sent to her earlier this month. Rais also attended Thursday's meeting.
In the letter, he expressed regret about the earlier US comments, which he said were "uncalled for'' and tantamount to interference in Malaysia's affairs. - AP
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Thursday urged Malaysia to be transparent and follow the rule of law in dealing with the sodomy accusation against Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
"The United States has long spoken and will continue to speak up about cases that we think need to be thought about in terms of the political circumstances,'' said Rice, who is here to attend a regional security conference.
"We want to see transparency and for rule of law to be completely followed there,'' she told reporters just before going into the 27-nation meeting. "We are always going to speak up on human rights cases, political cases, but we do so in a spirit of respect for Malaysia.''
Rice said "part of the comfort level or the confidence that states need to bring to the international system is that their judicial systems are indeed responsive to rule of law and (are) transparent and fair.''
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice, center, walks through the lobby of Shangri-La hotel after attending the 15th ASEAN Regional Forum retreat meeting in Singapore, Thursday. - APShe also rejected Malaysia's claim that the Anwar case is an internal affair.
"The United States doesn't recognise this very firm barrier that it is simply internal affairs when a case of this kind comes up, but we are going to continue to work with Malaysia,'' she said.
Rice's comments were the first public remarks in response to a protest letter that Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said he sent to her earlier this month. Rais also attended Thursday's meeting.
In the letter, he expressed regret about the earlier US comments, which he said were "uncalled for'' and tantamount to interference in Malaysia's affairs. - AP
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Anwar: I was ready to go for Kulim-Bandar Baru - The Sun
PETALING JAYA (July 23, 2008) : By Giam Say Khoon
Parti Keadilan Rakyat adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said today he had been ready to contest a by-election in Kulim-Bandar Baru had the court announced the verdict of an election petition against MP Zulkifli Nordin last Monday.
"Zulkifli had told me that he was prepared to give consent and get the thing cleared that (if) last Monday, the court ruled that the election was null and void, there would be a by-election.
"Probably because of the rumour, the court postponed the case to Aug 16," said Anwar who revealed that he initially decided to contest in the by-election three weeks ago.
Zulkifli faced a petition filed by Barisan Nasional candidate Datuk Abdul Aziz Sheikh Fadzir that he failed to submit his expenditure statement when he contested for the Kuala Langat parliamentary seat in 2004.
"Notwithstanding that, I am now in a discussion with the DAP, PAS and Keadilan leaders on the posibility of an imminent by-election," he told a press conference after welcoming former Umno division leader Datuk Fauzi Abdul Rahman to the party today.
On the Pakatan Rakyat's (PR) Sept 16 deadline to take over the government, Anwar said the plan, which aimed "not to topple the government but to ensure that the people win" is still on track.
On the talks between PAS and Umno, Anwar said PAS had given an assurance it will not leave PR.
"PAS's commitment to the five PR-led states remains strong," he added.
Asked why he did not want to take an oath on the Qur'an on a sodomy case against him, Anwar said the burden of proof is with the accuser.
He said under syariah law, an accuser who is unable to produce evidence will be punished.
"If you go for oath-taking now, you actually absorb all procedures of the court and the punishment in this world, then you leave it to God (to judge)," he said.
Oath-taking, he said, was only suitable for settling marital problems.
Parti Keadilan Rakyat adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said today he had been ready to contest a by-election in Kulim-Bandar Baru had the court announced the verdict of an election petition against MP Zulkifli Nordin last Monday."Zulkifli had told me that he was prepared to give consent and get the thing cleared that (if) last Monday, the court ruled that the election was null and void, there would be a by-election.
"Probably because of the rumour, the court postponed the case to Aug 16," said Anwar who revealed that he initially decided to contest in the by-election three weeks ago.
Zulkifli faced a petition filed by Barisan Nasional candidate Datuk Abdul Aziz Sheikh Fadzir that he failed to submit his expenditure statement when he contested for the Kuala Langat parliamentary seat in 2004.
"Notwithstanding that, I am now in a discussion with the DAP, PAS and Keadilan leaders on the posibility of an imminent by-election," he told a press conference after welcoming former Umno division leader Datuk Fauzi Abdul Rahman to the party today.
On the Pakatan Rakyat's (PR) Sept 16 deadline to take over the government, Anwar said the plan, which aimed "not to topple the government but to ensure that the people win" is still on track.
On the talks between PAS and Umno, Anwar said PAS had given an assurance it will not leave PR.
"PAS's commitment to the five PR-led states remains strong," he added.
Asked why he did not want to take an oath on the Qur'an on a sodomy case against him, Anwar said the burden of proof is with the accuser.
He said under syariah law, an accuser who is unable to produce evidence will be punished.
"If you go for oath-taking now, you actually absorb all procedures of the court and the punishment in this world, then you leave it to God (to judge)," he said.
Oath-taking, he said, was only suitable for settling marital problems.
Court rejects bid to stay proceedings for Najib to be called - The Sun
SHAH ALAM (July 23, 2008): By Maria J.Dass
The Shah Alam High Court today rejected an application to stay all proceedings of the Altantuya Shaariibuu murder trial to recall prosecution witness P. Balasubramaniam and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak following a statutory declaration filed by the former on July 1.
The application filed by Karpal Singh, who is holding a watching brief for Altantuya's family and the Mongolian government, was rejected on the grounds that those represented by Karpal were not a party to the trial.
"In my mind, they are excluded as they have no locus standi on the matter," said Judge Datuk Mohd Zaki Md Yasin.
In making the decision, he said: "Section 425 of Criminal Procedure Code is divided into two limbs.
"The first limb is discretionary and can be made upon application, while the second is imperative when the court feels it is essential to the justice of the case."
In rejecting the application, he said under the first limb, it must be made by the parties of the trial; the victim, he added, is excluded.
The statutory declaration filed by Balasubramaniam on July 1, which was announced on July 3 and retracted on July 4, implied that Najib had known Altantuya and that it was he who introduced the Mongolian woman to Abdul Razak Baginda, who is charged with abetting her murder.
In his application, Karpal also asked that the court summon Najib’s aide-de-camp DSP Musa Safri whose name was mentioned several times during the trial, DSP Idris Abd Karim from the Brickfields Criminal Investigations Division and lawyer Dhiren Rene Norendra who had apparently been advising Abdul Razak during the time he was being harassed by Altantuya.
Earlier, Mohd Zaki questioned the validity of the two statutory declarations and said they were still under investigation, hence it was yet to be determined if the first declaration was true or false or if both were false.
"For certain these did not crop up during the trial," he said.
Karpal argued that this was still relevant to Balasubramaniam’s testimony and that the private investigator had to be recalled.
Mohd Zaki: But it is not in the interest of your client to delay trial.
Karpal: But justice must be done. Delay is not a consideration. What happens if the court makes a decision now and police investigations (into the two declarations) reveal otherwise? Then it will be an embarrassment to the court.
DPP Tun Abdul Majid Tun Hamzah, meanwhile, said: "We should proceed with the trial because we don’t see anything that will affect the findings of the court."
Tun Abdul Majid dismissed the declarations as hearsay, saying the persons affirmed in the statutory declarations should be making an affidavit in support – in this case, Balasubramaniam.
Karpal said it was in the interest of the DPP to support his application.
Mohd Zaki had earlier said that Karpal appeared to be usurping the functions of the prosecution.
"I understand the need to produce evidence substantial to the case but do you have locus standi to file the application?" Mohd Zaki asked.
Karpal then replied that the prosecution should support his application in the interest of justice for Altantuya’s family.
Abdul Razak’s counsel Wong Kian Keong, however, said that Balasubramaniam was out of the country, going by press reports.
"How long must our client wait for justice?" he asked.
"The court should not play the romantic role of adventure. The court should uphold justice and nothing else," Wong said.
He said the role of a criminal trial was to find if the charged were guilty or not.
He said: "Allowing this application will open the floodgates to turn DPPs into private prosecutors, when this should only be used in cases with urgency."
Counsel for second accused Cpl Sirul Azhar Umar, Kamarul Hisham Kamaruddin, said it is up to the DPP to decide who to call and what part of evidence needs to be adduced.
"But they (DPPs) do not support this here for whatever reason they have," he said.
First accused C/Insp Azilah Hadri’s lawyer Datuk Hazman Ahmad, meanwhile, said: "I adopt the prosecution's submissions, we have the same stand."
Azilah, 32 and Sirul Azhar, 37 are charged with murdering Altantuya at a jungle clearing in Mukim Bukit Raja between 10pm on Oct 19 and 1am on Oct 20, 2006. Political Analyst Abdul Razak, 49 is charged with abetting them.
After Karpal’s application was rejected the trial continued with submissions from Azilah’s counsel Hazman Ahmad on the impeachment of the prosecution’s seventh witness L/Cpl Rohaniza Roslan.
Hazman said Rohaniza should not be impeached as she had testified that she was under police custody and under pressure during the time she had given her statement.
"The prosecution is under the duty to call the recording officer to determine if the statement was made voluntarily or involuntarily," he said.
"Not calling the recording officer infers that calling in the officer would have been infavourable to the prosecution," he added.
Hazman also said that the contradictions were reconcilable and therefore Rohaniza should not be impeached.
Submitting on the trial within a trial to determine if the alleged disclosure of the place where Altantuya was shot and blown up is to be adduced as evidence, Azilah’s counsel J.Kuldeep Kumar said there were several areas in the testimonies by witnesses that showed that the police had prior knowledge of the crime scene.
Among this was the presence of the media at the crime of the scene during the time the accused had allegedly disclosed it and contradicting statements by police officers involved in the discovery of the crime scene shows that the police had prior knowledge of scene before taking the accused there.
"This shows that they had probably heard of it from their sources- likely from the police, and if not this goes to show that the police could have obtained the same information from elsewhere," said Kuldeep.
He also raised several contradicting statements by police officers who testified including differing sequence of orders and timelines pertaining the disclosure which infers that the police had actually known of the location of the crime scene in Puncak Alam.
Kuldeep also submitted the absence of records stating the actual words the accused had used during the purported disclosure.
Officer C/Insp Koh Fei Cheow and DSP Zainudin Abdul Samad who were involved in the interrogation and transporting Azilah to the crime scene did not have proper records of the statements made by the accused in their investigation diaries, he said.
"The inconsistencies of Zainudin’s statements in court further proves that it is unsafe to rely on the information," Kuldeep said adding that the inaccuracies that make the statements doubtful, unreliable and unsafe should be inadmissible and excluded.
Hearing continues tomorrow.
The Shah Alam High Court today rejected an application to stay all proceedings of the Altantuya Shaariibuu murder trial to recall prosecution witness P. Balasubramaniam and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak following a statutory declaration filed by the former on July 1.The application filed by Karpal Singh, who is holding a watching brief for Altantuya's family and the Mongolian government, was rejected on the grounds that those represented by Karpal were not a party to the trial.
"In my mind, they are excluded as they have no locus standi on the matter," said Judge Datuk Mohd Zaki Md Yasin.
In making the decision, he said: "Section 425 of Criminal Procedure Code is divided into two limbs.
"The first limb is discretionary and can be made upon application, while the second is imperative when the court feels it is essential to the justice of the case."
In rejecting the application, he said under the first limb, it must be made by the parties of the trial; the victim, he added, is excluded.
The statutory declaration filed by Balasubramaniam on July 1, which was announced on July 3 and retracted on July 4, implied that Najib had known Altantuya and that it was he who introduced the Mongolian woman to Abdul Razak Baginda, who is charged with abetting her murder.
In his application, Karpal also asked that the court summon Najib’s aide-de-camp DSP Musa Safri whose name was mentioned several times during the trial, DSP Idris Abd Karim from the Brickfields Criminal Investigations Division and lawyer Dhiren Rene Norendra who had apparently been advising Abdul Razak during the time he was being harassed by Altantuya.Earlier, Mohd Zaki questioned the validity of the two statutory declarations and said they were still under investigation, hence it was yet to be determined if the first declaration was true or false or if both were false.
"For certain these did not crop up during the trial," he said.
Karpal argued that this was still relevant to Balasubramaniam’s testimony and that the private investigator had to be recalled.
Mohd Zaki: But it is not in the interest of your client to delay trial.
Karpal: But justice must be done. Delay is not a consideration. What happens if the court makes a decision now and police investigations (into the two declarations) reveal otherwise? Then it will be an embarrassment to the court.
DPP Tun Abdul Majid Tun Hamzah, meanwhile, said: "We should proceed with the trial because we don’t see anything that will affect the findings of the court."
Tun Abdul Majid dismissed the declarations as hearsay, saying the persons affirmed in the statutory declarations should be making an affidavit in support – in this case, Balasubramaniam.
Karpal said it was in the interest of the DPP to support his application.
Mohd Zaki had earlier said that Karpal appeared to be usurping the functions of the prosecution.
"I understand the need to produce evidence substantial to the case but do you have locus standi to file the application?" Mohd Zaki asked.
Karpal then replied that the prosecution should support his application in the interest of justice for Altantuya’s family.
Abdul Razak’s counsel Wong Kian Keong, however, said that Balasubramaniam was out of the country, going by press reports.
"How long must our client wait for justice?" he asked.
"The court should not play the romantic role of adventure. The court should uphold justice and nothing else," Wong said.
He said the role of a criminal trial was to find if the charged were guilty or not.
He said: "Allowing this application will open the floodgates to turn DPPs into private prosecutors, when this should only be used in cases with urgency."
Counsel for second accused Cpl Sirul Azhar Umar, Kamarul Hisham Kamaruddin, said it is up to the DPP to decide who to call and what part of evidence needs to be adduced.
"But they (DPPs) do not support this here for whatever reason they have," he said.
First accused C/Insp Azilah Hadri’s lawyer Datuk Hazman Ahmad, meanwhile, said: "I adopt the prosecution's submissions, we have the same stand."
Azilah, 32 and Sirul Azhar, 37 are charged with murdering Altantuya at a jungle clearing in Mukim Bukit Raja between 10pm on Oct 19 and 1am on Oct 20, 2006. Political Analyst Abdul Razak, 49 is charged with abetting them.
After Karpal’s application was rejected the trial continued with submissions from Azilah’s counsel Hazman Ahmad on the impeachment of the prosecution’s seventh witness L/Cpl Rohaniza Roslan.
Hazman said Rohaniza should not be impeached as she had testified that she was under police custody and under pressure during the time she had given her statement.
"The prosecution is under the duty to call the recording officer to determine if the statement was made voluntarily or involuntarily," he said.
"Not calling the recording officer infers that calling in the officer would have been infavourable to the prosecution," he added.
Hazman also said that the contradictions were reconcilable and therefore Rohaniza should not be impeached.
Submitting on the trial within a trial to determine if the alleged disclosure of the place where Altantuya was shot and blown up is to be adduced as evidence, Azilah’s counsel J.Kuldeep Kumar said there were several areas in the testimonies by witnesses that showed that the police had prior knowledge of the crime scene.
Among this was the presence of the media at the crime of the scene during the time the accused had allegedly disclosed it and contradicting statements by police officers involved in the discovery of the crime scene shows that the police had prior knowledge of scene before taking the accused there.
"This shows that they had probably heard of it from their sources- likely from the police, and if not this goes to show that the police could have obtained the same information from elsewhere," said Kuldeep.
He also raised several contradicting statements by police officers who testified including differing sequence of orders and timelines pertaining the disclosure which infers that the police had actually known of the location of the crime scene in Puncak Alam.
Kuldeep also submitted the absence of records stating the actual words the accused had used during the purported disclosure.
Officer C/Insp Koh Fei Cheow and DSP Zainudin Abdul Samad who were involved in the interrogation and transporting Azilah to the crime scene did not have proper records of the statements made by the accused in their investigation diaries, he said.
"The inconsistencies of Zainudin’s statements in court further proves that it is unsafe to rely on the information," Kuldeep said adding that the inaccuracies that make the statements doubtful, unreliable and unsafe should be inadmissible and excluded.
Hearing continues tomorrow.
CPI for June surges to 7.7% - The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: Jul 23, 2008
The consumer price index for June surged 7.7% on-year and also recorded a 3.9% increase on-month, fuelled by the substantial rise in the price of petrol and diesel.
The Statistics Department said Wednesday the CPI for January to June increased by 3.7% to 109.0 compared with that of 105.1 in the previous corresponding period.
“Compared with that of the same month in 2007, the CPI increased by 7.7% from 105.3 to 113.4 and when compared with the previous month, the CPI increased by 3.9%,” it said.
The department said the main reason for this increase was the substantial rise in the price of petrol and diesel announced by the government commencing on June 5. The index for food and non-alcoholic beverages for June compared to the same month in 2007 showed high percentage change of 10.0%; meanwhile the index for non-Food increased by 6.7%.
It said for January to June, there were increases in the index for food and non-alcoholic beverages of 6.1% and non-food 2.6%.
Compared to the previous month, it said the index for food and non-alcoholic beverages rose by 2% while the index for non-food increased to 4.9%.
The consumer price index for June surged 7.7% on-year and also recorded a 3.9% increase on-month, fuelled by the substantial rise in the price of petrol and diesel.
The Statistics Department said Wednesday the CPI for January to June increased by 3.7% to 109.0 compared with that of 105.1 in the previous corresponding period.
“Compared with that of the same month in 2007, the CPI increased by 7.7% from 105.3 to 113.4 and when compared with the previous month, the CPI increased by 3.9%,” it said.
The department said the main reason for this increase was the substantial rise in the price of petrol and diesel announced by the government commencing on June 5. The index for food and non-alcoholic beverages for June compared to the same month in 2007 showed high percentage change of 10.0%; meanwhile the index for non-Food increased by 6.7%.
It said for January to June, there were increases in the index for food and non-alcoholic beverages of 6.1% and non-food 2.6%.
Compared to the previous month, it said the index for food and non-alcoholic beverages rose by 2% while the index for non-food increased to 4.9%.
Muzakarah hakis sokongan bukan Melayu... - Malaysiakini
Jul 23, 08 7:15pm
Kelab Penyokong PAS Kebangsaan berkata langkah parti itu mengadakan muzakarah dengan Umno akan menimbulkan kebimbangan dalam kalangan ahli akar umbi dan penyokong bukan Islam parti itu.
hu pang chawPengerusi kelab tersebut, Hu Pang Chaw berkata, muzakarah dengan Umno adalah sesuatu yang tidak akan menguntungkan PAS.
Malah, katanya, sokongan terutamanya dari masyarakat bukan Melayu terhadap PAS, mungkin terhakis.
"Kemenangan PAS dalam Pilihanraya Umum ke-12 lepas bukan sahaja kerana pengundi Melayu, tetapi juga sokongan pengundi bukan Melayu. Faktor ini perlu diambil kira," katanya dalam satu kenyataan hari ini.
Katanya Umno kini menghadapi kemelut dalaman dan penyokong tidak mahu PAS dijadikan perangkap untuk membina semula kekuatan Umno, demikian menurut laporan Bernama.
Hu bersetuju dengan pandangan Mursyidul Am PAS Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat bahawa PAS perlu belajar daripada pengalaman lalu apabila kerjasama dengan Umno hanya akan menghakis kekuatan PAS.
Ketua Angkatan Muda Keadilan Kelantan, Wan Khairul Ihsan Wan Muhammad pula berkata muzakarah dengan PAS menunjukkan Umno dan Barisan Nasional (BN) kini semakin terdesak.
"Kita bimbang Umno menggunakan muzakarah untuk melemahkan Pakatan Rakyat dan dalam masa yang sama menutup kelemahan dalam parti mereka," katanya.
Kelab Penyokong PAS Kebangsaan berkata langkah parti itu mengadakan muzakarah dengan Umno akan menimbulkan kebimbangan dalam kalangan ahli akar umbi dan penyokong bukan Islam parti itu.
hu pang chawPengerusi kelab tersebut, Hu Pang Chaw berkata, muzakarah dengan Umno adalah sesuatu yang tidak akan menguntungkan PAS.
Malah, katanya, sokongan terutamanya dari masyarakat bukan Melayu terhadap PAS, mungkin terhakis.
"Kemenangan PAS dalam Pilihanraya Umum ke-12 lepas bukan sahaja kerana pengundi Melayu, tetapi juga sokongan pengundi bukan Melayu. Faktor ini perlu diambil kira," katanya dalam satu kenyataan hari ini.
Katanya Umno kini menghadapi kemelut dalaman dan penyokong tidak mahu PAS dijadikan perangkap untuk membina semula kekuatan Umno, demikian menurut laporan Bernama.
Hu bersetuju dengan pandangan Mursyidul Am PAS Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat bahawa PAS perlu belajar daripada pengalaman lalu apabila kerjasama dengan Umno hanya akan menghakis kekuatan PAS.
Ketua Angkatan Muda Keadilan Kelantan, Wan Khairul Ihsan Wan Muhammad pula berkata muzakarah dengan PAS menunjukkan Umno dan Barisan Nasional (BN) kini semakin terdesak.
"Kita bimbang Umno menggunakan muzakarah untuk melemahkan Pakatan Rakyat dan dalam masa yang sama menutup kelemahan dalam parti mereka," katanya.
'Even PM's post cannot tempt us' - Malaysiakini
S Pathmawathy | Jul 23, 08 2:38pm
PAS will not turn its back on principles even if Umno offered the Islamic opposition party the prime minister's position.
Youth chief Salahuddin Ayub drove this point home during a press conference at the PAS headquarters in Kuala Lumpur today.
"We will definitely oppose anyone who tempt us into accepting positions because we belong to a principled party," he said.
Salahuddin stressed that PAS is governed by values and a strong mandate from voters.
"We are not interested in any of their (Umno) offerings even if they offer me the post of prime minister," he said.
"(If) We accept this (the positions) today, in future the coming generations will curse, hate and no longer respect us," he added
More news at: www.malaysiakini.com
PAS will not turn its back on principles even if Umno offered the Islamic opposition party the prime minister's position.Youth chief Salahuddin Ayub drove this point home during a press conference at the PAS headquarters in Kuala Lumpur today.
"We will definitely oppose anyone who tempt us into accepting positions because we belong to a principled party," he said.
Salahuddin stressed that PAS is governed by values and a strong mandate from voters.
"We are not interested in any of their (Umno) offerings even if they offer me the post of prime minister," he said.
"(If) We accept this (the positions) today, in future the coming generations will curse, hate and no longer respect us," he added
More news at: www.malaysiakini.com
Tan edging closer to join PKR - Malaysiakini
Fed up with the limited role she has played and the limited time she has left, former MCA Wanita deputy chief Tan Yee Kew is now "very likely" join Parti Keadilan Rakyat.
Former deputy minister joins PKR - The Star
PETALING JAYA: Jul 23, 2008 By SHAHANAAZ HABIB
Former deputy minister and ex-Kuantan MP Datuk Fauzi Abdul Rahman has joined Parti Keadilan Rakyat.
The announcement was made by party adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at the PKR headquarters on Wednesday.
Fauzi, who was a former Kuantan Umno division chief and retired from active politics five years ago, said he had rested for too long and was ready to play an active role in PKR.
"It is time for Malaysians to wake up and form a tangible two-party system. The loss of Barisan (Nasional) is the rakyat's gain," he said.
Former deputy minister and ex-Kuantan MP Datuk Fauzi Abdul Rahman has joined Parti Keadilan Rakyat.
The announcement was made by party adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at the PKR headquarters on Wednesday.
Fauzi, who was a former Kuantan Umno division chief and retired from active politics five years ago, said he had rested for too long and was ready to play an active role in PKR.
"It is time for Malaysians to wake up and form a tangible two-party system. The loss of Barisan (Nasional) is the rakyat's gain," he said.
Millions paid to RM650 company - The Sun
LONDON (July 23, 2008): by R. Nadeswaran and Terence Fernandez
The Youth and Sports Ministry entered into a multi-million ringgit agreement to host a football tournament with a company with a paid up-capital of just RM650 and accumulated losses exceeding RM6.5 million. If it had carried out a due diligence test, as is required by practice and convention, before entering into an agreement involving such a big amount of money, it certainly would not have parted with RM17 million as "bidding fees" to host the Champions Youth Cup (CYC) tournament last year. And certainly, it would not have parted with RM8 million as "advance" for this year’s tournament, which has since been aborted.
For the record, the tournament held in four venues was a failure in terms of crowd support, gate collections and television viewership, despite promises of "Malaysia being mentioned several hundred times in international dispatches".
Both the ministry and the London-based Gifted Group Ltd are now embroiled in a controversy over the now-aborted tournament after the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) refused to sanction the tournament. Both Gifted and the ministry have threatened to sue each other for breach.
All this could have been avoided if only officials in the ministry had carried out checks.
Gifted Group’s Jonathan James Price and former youth and sports minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said had always maintained that the monies paid to the company were "bidding fees" but nowhere in the world does any country "bid" to host any tournament for three consecutive years.
But an examination of Gifted Group’s filings with the Companies House here (the equivalent of Companies Commission of Malaysia) revealed that the RM17 million from Malaysia may have pulled Gifted Group out of financial trouble.
According to its accounts, it had accumulated losses of £1.044 million as of June 30, 2006. No further returns have been filed.
Price holds 74% of the shares (the other 26% being held by Indigo Holdings Ltd) and has six other subsidiaries of which only one – Gifted Management Ltd – is active. It, too, incurred losses of £58,000 (RM375,000) in 2005, which was carried forward the following year although records show there was no trading or transactions.
The records also show that the company has an outstanding loan of £600,000 (RM3.8 million) from an unnamed investor at an interest of 2% per annum. Interest due was £46,358 (RM299,000) and was to be settled on or before Nov 8 last year. The CYC was launched on March 16, 2007 and the tournament held in August. There have been no subsequent filings of company accounts.
Efforts by theSun to seek comments from Gifted Group drew a blank as it is operating from an office suite complex in upmarket central London, a stone’s throw from Parliament House, to which access is restricted by receptionists who control access to all offices there.
Reached by phone from the reception at the ground floor, Price’s secretary, someone who gave her name as Marissa, said her boss was out of town. They have yet to return calls to theSun.
The Youth and Sports Ministry entered into a multi-million ringgit agreement to host a football tournament with a company with a paid up-capital of just RM650 and accumulated losses exceeding RM6.5 million. If it had carried out a due diligence test, as is required by practice and convention, before entering into an agreement involving such a big amount of money, it certainly would not have parted with RM17 million as "bidding fees" to host the Champions Youth Cup (CYC) tournament last year. And certainly, it would not have parted with RM8 million as "advance" for this year’s tournament, which has since been aborted.For the record, the tournament held in four venues was a failure in terms of crowd support, gate collections and television viewership, despite promises of "Malaysia being mentioned several hundred times in international dispatches".
Both the ministry and the London-based Gifted Group Ltd are now embroiled in a controversy over the now-aborted tournament after the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) refused to sanction the tournament. Both Gifted and the ministry have threatened to sue each other for breach.
All this could have been avoided if only officials in the ministry had carried out checks.
Gifted Group’s Jonathan James Price and former youth and sports minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said had always maintained that the monies paid to the company were "bidding fees" but nowhere in the world does any country "bid" to host any tournament for three consecutive years.
But an examination of Gifted Group’s filings with the Companies House here (the equivalent of Companies Commission of Malaysia) revealed that the RM17 million from Malaysia may have pulled Gifted Group out of financial trouble.
According to its accounts, it had accumulated losses of £1.044 million as of June 30, 2006. No further returns have been filed.
Price holds 74% of the shares (the other 26% being held by Indigo Holdings Ltd) and has six other subsidiaries of which only one – Gifted Management Ltd – is active. It, too, incurred losses of £58,000 (RM375,000) in 2005, which was carried forward the following year although records show there was no trading or transactions.
The records also show that the company has an outstanding loan of £600,000 (RM3.8 million) from an unnamed investor at an interest of 2% per annum. Interest due was £46,358 (RM299,000) and was to be settled on or before Nov 8 last year. The CYC was launched on March 16, 2007 and the tournament held in August. There have been no subsequent filings of company accounts.
Efforts by theSun to seek comments from Gifted Group drew a blank as it is operating from an office suite complex in upmarket central London, a stone’s throw from Parliament House, to which access is restricted by receptionists who control access to all offices there.
Reached by phone from the reception at the ground floor, Price’s secretary, someone who gave her name as Marissa, said her boss was out of town. They have yet to return calls to theSun.
Kelantan moots gathering of Pakatan MBs and CM on Aug 8 - The Star
KOTA BARU: Jul 23, 2008 By IAN MCINTYRE
Kelantan has proposed that an inaugural meeting of mentris besar and chief minister of the five Pakatan Rakyat states be held next month to counter allegations of a split in the alliance.
The dates proposed are Aug 8 and 9. It is to be held here a few weeks before PAS holds its annual gathering (muktamar) in Perak.
Deputy Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob confirmed the dates but stressed that the state exco’s approval was needed.
It is learnt that state PAS secretary Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan will head the organising secretariat for the meeting.
It is learnt that following the “effects” of the three dialogues between PAS and Umno, next month’s meeting would emphasise PAS’ commitment to uphold the Pakatan Rakyat pact.
Kelantan Mentri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat was chosen by PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to organise and chair the meeting based on his seniority.
The tentative plan is a ceramah by leaders of all the five Pakatan states on Aug 8, followed by their closed-door meeting the next day.
Among the proposed issues to be raised are the streamlining of administrative policies, forming of joint-committees to study closer socio-economic cooperation and development strategies among the Opposition states.
PAS vice-president Datuk Husam Musa is hoping that his proposal for Kelantan to introduce a commercial hub for natural gas vehicles (NGV) can be adopted by the states to counter the effects of fuel price hike.
When contacted, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and DAP chairman Karpal Singh said they were not aware of such a meeting and would not comment.
PKR vice-president R. Sivarasa said the meeting was part of a series of meetings which had already been held between the state chiefs to discuss and seek solutions for the issues facing the various state governments.
Kelantan has proposed that an inaugural meeting of mentris besar and chief minister of the five Pakatan Rakyat states be held next month to counter allegations of a split in the alliance.The dates proposed are Aug 8 and 9. It is to be held here a few weeks before PAS holds its annual gathering (muktamar) in Perak.
Deputy Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob confirmed the dates but stressed that the state exco’s approval was needed.
It is learnt that state PAS secretary Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan will head the organising secretariat for the meeting.
It is learnt that following the “effects” of the three dialogues between PAS and Umno, next month’s meeting would emphasise PAS’ commitment to uphold the Pakatan Rakyat pact.
Kelantan Mentri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat was chosen by PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to organise and chair the meeting based on his seniority.
The tentative plan is a ceramah by leaders of all the five Pakatan states on Aug 8, followed by their closed-door meeting the next day.
Among the proposed issues to be raised are the streamlining of administrative policies, forming of joint-committees to study closer socio-economic cooperation and development strategies among the Opposition states.
PAS vice-president Datuk Husam Musa is hoping that his proposal for Kelantan to introduce a commercial hub for natural gas vehicles (NGV) can be adopted by the states to counter the effects of fuel price hike.
When contacted, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and DAP chairman Karpal Singh said they were not aware of such a meeting and would not comment.
PKR vice-president R. Sivarasa said the meeting was part of a series of meetings which had already been held between the state chiefs to discuss and seek solutions for the issues facing the various state governments.
Talks ‘aimed at hurting Pakatan’ - The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: Jul 23, 2008 By LOONG MENG YEE
The top level Umno-PAS dialogues should cease immediately because Umno is only interested in getting the numbers to weaken the opposition pact.
Selangor PAS deputy commissioner II Khalid Abd Samad said he agreed with party spiritual leader Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat that the dialogues should be terminated at once.
“All Umno wants is the numbers to significantly weaken Pakatan Rakyat. It wants power. It does not have Malay unity or Islam at heart. It is just using excuses,” said the Shah Alam MP.
Khalid made up his mind after attending the first Umno-PAS dialogue initiated by Umno, which wanted to talk about Malay unity and Islam.
It was on March 10 or 11, fresh from the March 8 general election. On Umno’s side were Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and former Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo.
From PAS were deputy president Nasharudin Mat Isa, Terengganu commissioner Datuk Mustapha Ali and Khalid.
“What they were interested in was to team up and form the Selangor Government. They were not interested in solving problems, only their political survival. Since there is no sincerity from them, there is no point talking,” said Khalid.
Khalid did not attend the subsequent two talks.
His elder brother Datuk Shahrir Samad, an Umno supreme council member, holds a different opinion.
He believes the series of dialogues concentrated on “what to do with problems faced by the country,” not so much on a merger of the two parties.
“Both parties, I believe, wanted to move on after the general election. They accepted the election result and wanted to move forward. Hence, they are talking,” said Shahrir, the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister.
He doubted the talks centred on mergers because such a move was extremely political and would stir up feelings among the grassroots.
Asked then why Umno did not initiate talks with PKR, Shahrir replied: “They are more interested in forming the government.”
As for his brother’s opinion on the merger, Shahrir said they both had different political approaches, but at the end of the day, they were still brothers, a sentiment shared by Khalid.
The top level Umno-PAS dialogues should cease immediately because Umno is only interested in getting the numbers to weaken the opposition pact.
Selangor PAS deputy commissioner II Khalid Abd Samad said he agreed with party spiritual leader Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat that the dialogues should be terminated at once.
“All Umno wants is the numbers to significantly weaken Pakatan Rakyat. It wants power. It does not have Malay unity or Islam at heart. It is just using excuses,” said the Shah Alam MP.
Khalid made up his mind after attending the first Umno-PAS dialogue initiated by Umno, which wanted to talk about Malay unity and Islam.
It was on March 10 or 11, fresh from the March 8 general election. On Umno’s side were Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and former Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo.
From PAS were deputy president Nasharudin Mat Isa, Terengganu commissioner Datuk Mustapha Ali and Khalid.
“What they were interested in was to team up and form the Selangor Government. They were not interested in solving problems, only their political survival. Since there is no sincerity from them, there is no point talking,” said Khalid.
Khalid did not attend the subsequent two talks.
His elder brother Datuk Shahrir Samad, an Umno supreme council member, holds a different opinion.
He believes the series of dialogues concentrated on “what to do with problems faced by the country,” not so much on a merger of the two parties.
“Both parties, I believe, wanted to move on after the general election. They accepted the election result and wanted to move forward. Hence, they are talking,” said Shahrir, the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister.
He doubted the talks centred on mergers because such a move was extremely political and would stir up feelings among the grassroots.
Asked then why Umno did not initiate talks with PKR, Shahrir replied: “They are more interested in forming the government.”
As for his brother’s opinion on the merger, Shahrir said they both had different political approaches, but at the end of the day, they were still brothers, a sentiment shared by Khalid.
Kit Siang: Why Malay unity and not Malaysian unity - The Star
PETALING JAYA: Jul 23, 2008
The three dialogues between Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and PAS decision makers raise the question why the Prime Minister was focusing on Malay unity rather than on Malaysian unity, DAP national advisor Lim Kit Siang wrote in his blog.
“Has he forgotten another of his pledges, to be the Prime Minister of all Malaysians and not just of any race?” asked Lim.
He was commenting on the three discussions that Abdullah held with PAS leaders, which began right after the general election in March.
Among the PAS leaders Abdullah met were deputy president Nasharuddin Mat Isa, Terengganu commissioner Datuk Mustapha Ali and Shah Alam MP Khalid Abd Samad.
Lim alleged Malaysian nation building had gone backwards and that the Vision 2020 objective of a “Bangsa Malaysia” was increasingly frowned upon as a misplaced target.
The three dialogues between Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and PAS decision makers raise the question why the Prime Minister was focusing on Malay unity rather than on Malaysian unity, DAP national advisor Lim Kit Siang wrote in his blog.“Has he forgotten another of his pledges, to be the Prime Minister of all Malaysians and not just of any race?” asked Lim.
He was commenting on the three discussions that Abdullah held with PAS leaders, which began right after the general election in March.
Among the PAS leaders Abdullah met were deputy president Nasharuddin Mat Isa, Terengganu commissioner Datuk Mustapha Ali and Shah Alam MP Khalid Abd Samad.
Lim alleged Malaysian nation building had gone backwards and that the Vision 2020 objective of a “Bangsa Malaysia” was increasingly frowned upon as a misplaced target.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
PAS ready to hold a fourth round of talks with PM - The Sun
Jul 22, 2008
THE PAS top leadership is ready to hold a fourth round of talks with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi for cooperation that will lead to the implementation of a "Malay-centric" government, Nanyang Siang Pau reported today, quoting sources.
The report said Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) sources revealed that Umno is trying hard to talk PAS into cooperating with Umno, and has proposed the "Malay-centric" concept of cooperation.
However, the three rounds of muzakarah (discussions) so far had not produced results.
The sources said during the previous talks between the two parties, Umno's overtures included offering the deputy prime minister's post for PAS.
They said PKR leaders were aware of the Umno-PAS muzakarah but did not deem it an act of betrayal on the part of PAS.
"In a democratic system, political parties within and outside the government can talk about cooperation anytime," they said.
The sources also said the "secularists" within PAS feel that the party can work with Umno while the elders are against the idea.
It is learnt the two parties will hold their fourth muzakarah before Sept 16 and the meeting is crucial as the opposition coalition, Pakatan Rakyat (PR), has claimed that they would launch their bid for control of the federal government on the particular date.
Asked for his predictions of the outcome if PAS agrees to Umno's overtures, a senior PKR leader said: "At present, PAS is dependent on PR and not the other way around".
The PKR leader, who was not identified in the report, said a PAS move to the Barisan Nasional will not be a lost to PR as "half of the PAS MPs will hop over PKR then".
He did not believe PAS and Umno can work together and said that even if they do, Umno will put its allies in BN in an awkward position, forcing them to leave the coalition.
"If Umno and PAS reach an agreement (to form a Malay-centric government), do you think MCA and Gerakan will still remain in BN?" he asked.
He was confident that PR will still have enough MPs to take over the government even if PAS leaves PR.
Meanwhile, PKR publicity chief Tian Chua told Nanyang that the party has also been in contact with Umno's top leaders.
Commenting on the admissions by both Abdullah and PAS president Datuk Seri Hadi Awang that the two parties had been holding talks, Tian Chua said: "Don't think that PKR is not (also talking to Umno)"
However, he declined to named the leaders involved in the talks and what was discussed.
THE PAS top leadership is ready to hold a fourth round of talks with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi for cooperation that will lead to the implementation of a "Malay-centric" government, Nanyang Siang Pau reported today, quoting sources.
The report said Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) sources revealed that Umno is trying hard to talk PAS into cooperating with Umno, and has proposed the "Malay-centric" concept of cooperation.
However, the three rounds of muzakarah (discussions) so far had not produced results.
The sources said during the previous talks between the two parties, Umno's overtures included offering the deputy prime minister's post for PAS.
They said PKR leaders were aware of the Umno-PAS muzakarah but did not deem it an act of betrayal on the part of PAS.
"In a democratic system, political parties within and outside the government can talk about cooperation anytime," they said.
The sources also said the "secularists" within PAS feel that the party can work with Umno while the elders are against the idea.
It is learnt the two parties will hold their fourth muzakarah before Sept 16 and the meeting is crucial as the opposition coalition, Pakatan Rakyat (PR), has claimed that they would launch their bid for control of the federal government on the particular date.
Asked for his predictions of the outcome if PAS agrees to Umno's overtures, a senior PKR leader said: "At present, PAS is dependent on PR and not the other way around".
The PKR leader, who was not identified in the report, said a PAS move to the Barisan Nasional will not be a lost to PR as "half of the PAS MPs will hop over PKR then".
He did not believe PAS and Umno can work together and said that even if they do, Umno will put its allies in BN in an awkward position, forcing them to leave the coalition.
"If Umno and PAS reach an agreement (to form a Malay-centric government), do you think MCA and Gerakan will still remain in BN?" he asked.
He was confident that PR will still have enough MPs to take over the government even if PAS leaves PR.
Meanwhile, PKR publicity chief Tian Chua told Nanyang that the party has also been in contact with Umno's top leaders.
Commenting on the admissions by both Abdullah and PAS president Datuk Seri Hadi Awang that the two parties had been holding talks, Tian Chua said: "Don't think that PKR is not (also talking to Umno)"
However, he declined to named the leaders involved in the talks and what was discussed.
RAJA NAZRIN: Rulers not merely complementing national customs - NST
KUALA LUMPUR, MON: JUl 21, 2008
The Rulers feel that their roles are not merely to complement the customs of the country because "they are neither blind, deaf nor mute" or insensitive to the goings on in the country, said Raja Dr Nazrin Shah.
The frank opinions of the Rulers in matters concerning national unity, the role of religion, freedom of the judiciary as well as corruption and abuse of power were made out of their desire to ensure that the country continued to be strong and peaceful, and the people lived in prosperity, he said.
Everyting that transpired were within their knowledge, said Raja Nazrin, who is the Raja Muda of Perak, at a talk entitled "The Institution of the Monarchy" at Intan today.
He said that after 50 years of independence, the Rulers had reached a level of maturity by understanding their roles especially when the country faced a crisis.
However, in order to preserve respect for the monarchy, the Rulers must remain neutral and avoid from being involved in political disputes or being used as an instrument by any quarters in the competition to gain political power, Raja Nazrin said.
"In line with the spirit of the Constitutional Monarchy which is normally practised, the role of the Ruler is to rule and not to administer. The Ruler must be above politics and the daily administrative matters which involves bureaucracy and various controversies.
"As he sits on the throne which is on a higher level, The Ruler is only involved whenever the situation warrants it," said Raja Nazrin.
The national constitution, he said, provided that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Rulers had the discretion which could be applied according to their Royal prerogative subject to certain constraints.
"The prerogative of the Ruling Monarch encompasses the power to appoint the Prime Minister at the federal level and to appoint the Menteri Besar at the state level, and the right to give consent to the dissolution of Parliament at the federal level and the State Legislative Assembly at the state level.
"In matters concerning the appointment of the Prime Minister and the Menteri Besar, the prerogative of the Ruling Monarch is not absolute. He is in a position where he has the right to determine who has the support of the majority of the elected representatives in parliament or the State Legislative Assembly. The discretion of the Ruler is crucial when there is no single party that holds the majority in the Dewan Rakyat or the State Assembly or whenever a coalition goverment is to be formed," he said.
In such a situation, said Raja Nazrin, the ruling Monarch could act in his own discretion to decide on the leader who was considered to have the majority support of the elected representatives, and the failure to use his discretion wisely would be interpreted by the people as a failure on the part of the Ruling monarch to discharge his responsibilities fairly and equitably.
He said the result of the general election in March had placed a heavy responsibility on the Istana Perak, where based on the results, the group claiming to have the majority support appeared to be vague.
In the March 8 general election, Barisan Nasional (BN) won 28 of the 59 State Assembly seats contested in Perak while the DAP won 18 seats, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) seven seats and PAS six seats.
The DAP, PKR and PAS collectively won 31 seats but, according to Raja Nazrin, they must reach a consensus officially to choose a candidate who could convince the ruling Monarch that he could obtain the majority support of the State Assemblymen.
"They had to undergo a lengthy process before the Menteri Besar could be sworn in and the letter of appointment presented to him," he said.
He also cited the case of Selangor where the BN won 20 seats, the PKR 15, DAP 13 and PAS eight.
"Although the DAP-PKR-PAS combination showed a clear majority, the Sultan of Selangor still had to ensure that the candidate that he consented to was accepted by the three parties that wished to set up a coalition government," Raja Nazrin said.
He said the Menteri Besar crisis also occurred in Perlis where the BN controlled 14 of the 15 seats contested.
Raja Nazrin said although Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim was the only candidate that had the blessing of the federal leader to retain his post as the Perlis Menteri Besar, a scenario cropped up where “a party within a party” existed when the candidate chosen by the BN chairman (Prime Minister) at the federal level did not get the support of the majority of the BN State Assemblymen at the state level.
“Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim was said to have failed to meet the instruction of the Duli Yang Maha Mulia Raja Perlis to bring the majority of the State Assemblymen to have an audience with the Ruler to give their support to him. The Ruler then appointed the candidate whom he felt had the support of the majority of the Assemblymen,” Raja Nazrin said.
The senario in Terengganu however “tested the relationship between the Monarchy and the people,” he said.
The Raja Muda said the candidate named by the BN chairman to fill the post of Menteri Besar did not get the consent of the Istana.
He said there was disagreement among the BN State Assemblymen themselves as well as among the Umno leaders at the state level.
“Both parties had their own legal opinion based on the advice of their respective legal experts. Extensive negotiations were held behind the scene,” he said.
Raja Nazrin said the Regency Advisory Council (in Terengganu) refused to back down from their stand based on the principle that the prerogative to appoint the Menteri Besar lie with the ruling Monarch.
“It cannot be denied that in every crisis there are crucial moments, but the maturity in running the administration and country and the willingness of the individuals to make way for the sake of the country and people had helped to resolve the crisis, and thus harmony was again restored and the government eventually managed to function,” Raja Nazrin said.
He said the role of the Ruler in matters pertaining to the appointment of the Menteri Besar in the four states concerned was within the jurisdiction of the ruling Monarch in line with the power provided by the Constitution.
Raja Nazrin also said that the immediate transfer order issued to the Director of the Perak Islamic Religious Department by the DAP-PKR-PAS government had also encroached into the power of the ruling Monarch because religion and all matters pertaining to it were under the prerogative of the ruling Monarch.
He said the ruling Monarch had a massive responsibility in ensuring that the spirit of the constitution, the philosophy behind every law and the bigger interest of the nation and people must always be understood and protected.
“In upholding this spirit, the Council of Rulers is the best forum for the Rulers to voice their opinion and determine their stand with regard to the candidates to be chosen as judges, the Auditor-General and members of the various commissions.
“What needs to be emphasised is that the Rulers should not abuse their prerogative to the extent that they contradicted the constitution and the law.
Secondly, the Rulers are a part of the national institution who could play a positive role in strengthening the system of democracy by discharging their responsibilities as a ’check and balance’ mechanism in protecting the interest of the people,” said Raja Nazrin
The Rulers feel that their roles are not merely to complement the customs of the country because "they are neither blind, deaf nor mute" or insensitive to the goings on in the country, said Raja Dr Nazrin Shah.The frank opinions of the Rulers in matters concerning national unity, the role of religion, freedom of the judiciary as well as corruption and abuse of power were made out of their desire to ensure that the country continued to be strong and peaceful, and the people lived in prosperity, he said.
Everyting that transpired were within their knowledge, said Raja Nazrin, who is the Raja Muda of Perak, at a talk entitled "The Institution of the Monarchy" at Intan today.
He said that after 50 years of independence, the Rulers had reached a level of maturity by understanding their roles especially when the country faced a crisis.
However, in order to preserve respect for the monarchy, the Rulers must remain neutral and avoid from being involved in political disputes or being used as an instrument by any quarters in the competition to gain political power, Raja Nazrin said.
"In line with the spirit of the Constitutional Monarchy which is normally practised, the role of the Ruler is to rule and not to administer. The Ruler must be above politics and the daily administrative matters which involves bureaucracy and various controversies.
"As he sits on the throne which is on a higher level, The Ruler is only involved whenever the situation warrants it," said Raja Nazrin.
The national constitution, he said, provided that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Rulers had the discretion which could be applied according to their Royal prerogative subject to certain constraints.
"The prerogative of the Ruling Monarch encompasses the power to appoint the Prime Minister at the federal level and to appoint the Menteri Besar at the state level, and the right to give consent to the dissolution of Parliament at the federal level and the State Legislative Assembly at the state level.
"In matters concerning the appointment of the Prime Minister and the Menteri Besar, the prerogative of the Ruling Monarch is not absolute. He is in a position where he has the right to determine who has the support of the majority of the elected representatives in parliament or the State Legislative Assembly. The discretion of the Ruler is crucial when there is no single party that holds the majority in the Dewan Rakyat or the State Assembly or whenever a coalition goverment is to be formed," he said.
In such a situation, said Raja Nazrin, the ruling Monarch could act in his own discretion to decide on the leader who was considered to have the majority support of the elected representatives, and the failure to use his discretion wisely would be interpreted by the people as a failure on the part of the Ruling monarch to discharge his responsibilities fairly and equitably.
He said the result of the general election in March had placed a heavy responsibility on the Istana Perak, where based on the results, the group claiming to have the majority support appeared to be vague.
In the March 8 general election, Barisan Nasional (BN) won 28 of the 59 State Assembly seats contested in Perak while the DAP won 18 seats, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) seven seats and PAS six seats.
The DAP, PKR and PAS collectively won 31 seats but, according to Raja Nazrin, they must reach a consensus officially to choose a candidate who could convince the ruling Monarch that he could obtain the majority support of the State Assemblymen.
"They had to undergo a lengthy process before the Menteri Besar could be sworn in and the letter of appointment presented to him," he said.
He also cited the case of Selangor where the BN won 20 seats, the PKR 15, DAP 13 and PAS eight.
"Although the DAP-PKR-PAS combination showed a clear majority, the Sultan of Selangor still had to ensure that the candidate that he consented to was accepted by the three parties that wished to set up a coalition government," Raja Nazrin said.
He said the Menteri Besar crisis also occurred in Perlis where the BN controlled 14 of the 15 seats contested.
Raja Nazrin said although Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim was the only candidate that had the blessing of the federal leader to retain his post as the Perlis Menteri Besar, a scenario cropped up where “a party within a party” existed when the candidate chosen by the BN chairman (Prime Minister) at the federal level did not get the support of the majority of the BN State Assemblymen at the state level.
“Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim was said to have failed to meet the instruction of the Duli Yang Maha Mulia Raja Perlis to bring the majority of the State Assemblymen to have an audience with the Ruler to give their support to him. The Ruler then appointed the candidate whom he felt had the support of the majority of the Assemblymen,” Raja Nazrin said.
The senario in Terengganu however “tested the relationship between the Monarchy and the people,” he said.
The Raja Muda said the candidate named by the BN chairman to fill the post of Menteri Besar did not get the consent of the Istana.
He said there was disagreement among the BN State Assemblymen themselves as well as among the Umno leaders at the state level.
“Both parties had their own legal opinion based on the advice of their respective legal experts. Extensive negotiations were held behind the scene,” he said.
Raja Nazrin said the Regency Advisory Council (in Terengganu) refused to back down from their stand based on the principle that the prerogative to appoint the Menteri Besar lie with the ruling Monarch.
“It cannot be denied that in every crisis there are crucial moments, but the maturity in running the administration and country and the willingness of the individuals to make way for the sake of the country and people had helped to resolve the crisis, and thus harmony was again restored and the government eventually managed to function,” Raja Nazrin said.
He said the role of the Ruler in matters pertaining to the appointment of the Menteri Besar in the four states concerned was within the jurisdiction of the ruling Monarch in line with the power provided by the Constitution.
Raja Nazrin also said that the immediate transfer order issued to the Director of the Perak Islamic Religious Department by the DAP-PKR-PAS government had also encroached into the power of the ruling Monarch because religion and all matters pertaining to it were under the prerogative of the ruling Monarch.
He said the ruling Monarch had a massive responsibility in ensuring that the spirit of the constitution, the philosophy behind every law and the bigger interest of the nation and people must always be understood and protected.
“In upholding this spirit, the Council of Rulers is the best forum for the Rulers to voice their opinion and determine their stand with regard to the candidates to be chosen as judges, the Auditor-General and members of the various commissions.
“What needs to be emphasised is that the Rulers should not abuse their prerogative to the extent that they contradicted the constitution and the law.
Secondly, the Rulers are a part of the national institution who could play a positive role in strengthening the system of democracy by discharging their responsibilities as a ’check and balance’ mechanism in protecting the interest of the people,” said Raja Nazrin
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